NFL Reviewing Washington Football Team Hiring to Check on Rooney Rule Compliance

The NFL is investigating the Washington Football Team for potential non-compliance with the Rooney Rule.

According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, "the Fritz Pollard Alliance had said it inquired about the hires of front-office executives Terry Bateman and Julie Donaldson."

Bateman was hired as the organization's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, while Donaldson was hired as the senior vice president of media. Both positions were announced this week.

Jason Reid of The Undefeated reported:

"The rapid-fire announcements while the franchise is managing the dual crises of pressure from NFL corporate sponsors to change its former name, which many consider a racist slur toward Native Americans, and the horrific picture of Washington's corporate culture under Snyder exposed in The Post report have stirred doubt within the league that Washington conducted thorough hiring processes as required by the Rooney Rule, two NFL club executives told The Undefeated."

The Rooney Rule requires that teams interview minority or female candidates for coaching and front-office vacancies. The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an organization independent of the NFL that advises the league on diversity and inclusion.  

The news comes on the same day that Washington announced it would be officially referring to itself as the "Washington Football Team" while it undergoes the process of creating a new nickname to replace its previous offensive moniker, which was a racial slur against Native Americans. 

Per the press release: "For updated brand clarity and consistency purposes, we will call ourselves the 'Washington Football Team' pending adoption of our new name. The [previous] name and logo will officially be retired by the start of the 2020 season. We encourage fans, media and all other parties to use 'Washington Football Team' immediately."

The franchise is also undergoing an internal investigation after 15 former employees accused several male members of team management of sexual harassment and fostering a hostile work environment.