The Rooney Rule, Essay Example

The necessity of NFL’s Rooney rule in hiring

The enactment of NFL Rooney’s minority interviewing rule was through acclamation early in December 2002. This was under the threat of litigation by the late attorney Johnnie Cochran. At the time, only two African American coaches were present in the league. The enactment has brought in changes and performances in teams showing the value of Rooney’s rule (Maske).

It is noticeable that African coaches are really delivering the required standards. This is also in other work places where they have hired black people ignoring the racial factor. The best part of their service is them trying to prove a point and winning the confidence of their employers. The coaches know that it is only under the mercies of the Rooney’s rule that they have a Job otherwise, some people are not very happy with them being in the job. Therefore, the rule helps the coaches to be serious with their work and deliver the best. A good example is that Black head coaches, Mike Tomlin and Tony Dungy who have won Super Bowl consecutively and are the current champions (Brian 12-26).

From the performance of these coaches, credit goes to the Rooney’s rule because it opened a long-shut door and gave these coaches and opportunity to show what they could do in sports.  This is the best chance that teams and other organizations can exploit and move away from the long history of under performing all because of entrusting contracts to poor performing leaders. The Corporate America as well could reap benefits by a follow up of the Rooney rule model.  Reports from Black Enterprise Magazine listed only nine African American CEO’s within organizations in the country yet it also reveals that the organizations performance is among the top ten in the country. This shows that the rule not only increases diversity but it also handles increase in productivity and performance (Brian 12-26).

Improving quality and diversity in teams has received great response from players. By now, at least every team has a black player and many appreciate the Rooney’s rule because it gives them the motivation that they are accepted just like their coaches improving the play a great deal. There are five African Americans as team players in Wooten and Mehri Super Bowl clubs and they are really doing well since the introduction of Rooney’s rule. It is very important to note that African Americans are an unexploited source that has been available for a long period now. This is the top cream in the work force. NCAA should value the field of Black Americans because there is great potential in these people that could be of massive benefit (Brian 12-26).

There is an overall unemployment rating at 9.8 percent currently of the African American in the country. Unemployment increases the dependency levels that lower the country’s productivity. Among these unemployed black Americans, there are coaches who have been denied the chance of even attending interviews in respective coaching games. This is very similar to other hiring events in other organizations. With Rooney’s rule applications not even in the field but also in business related fields, the country increases diversity within the leadership ranks. This means that the hiring process can solve the problem of low productivity and generate more revenue for the country.

Furthermore, the world is becoming global and we need diversity across the group in the work force. In 2003, Detroit Lions was fined $200,000 by the NFL for failing to interview minority candidates. This shows that Rooney’s rule is appropriate. We are no longer in the days of illiteracy and ignorance. This is a global world and respect to diversity is necessary (Brian 12-26).

Works Cited

Brian, W. “Tackling Unconscious Bias in Hiring Practices: The Plight of the Rooney Rule.” NYU Law Review, 2007, p12-26.

Maske, Mark. Supporters of NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule’ Say It Is Working. 12 Jan. 2010. 26 Feb. 2010. < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/11/AR2010011103649.html>