As corporate America takes a step back from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, one of the most powerful figures in professional sports is planting his flag firmly in the ground. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell isn’t just standing by DEI—he’s doubling down, declaring it an essential pillar of the league’s future.
In the days leading up to Super Bowl LIX, Goodell made his stance clear. For him, DEI isn’t about optics or following a cultural moment—it’s about strengthening the league from the inside out. “I believe that our diversity efforts have made the NFL better,” he stated. “It attracted better talent, we get different backgrounds, people with different perspectives … whether they’re women or men or people of color, we make ourselves stronger and we make ourselves better when we have that.”
His words reflect a league that has undergone significant transformations over the past decade. From coaching hires to front-office representation, the NFL has pushed to diversify its leadership. But Goodell’s message was more than just a reaffirmation of past efforts—it was a commitment to the future.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Feb. 3 that he had no plans to scale back on diversity programs, after US President Donald Trump called for similar initiatives to be dismantled within the federal government and urged private companies to do the same https://t.co/nnRDjc4aXD pic.twitter.com/c7uOZX8tdX
— Reuters Legal (@ReutersLegal) February 4, 2025
While some organizations have moved away from DEI in response to shifting political and economic pressures, Goodell emphasized that the NFL’s approach isn’t dictated by trends. “We’re not in this because it’s a trend to get in or a trend to get out of it,” he explained. “Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League — both on and off the field.”
His belief is that a more inclusive league isn’t just good for PR—it’s good for business, for competition, and for the overall strength of the NFL. In Goodell’s view, these efforts have already had a measurable impact, and abandoning them would mean moving backward.
But while the conversation about DEI was front and center, Goodell also had to address another burning question: Are referees showing favoritism to the Kansas City Chiefs? With Kansas City making yet another deep playoff run, speculation has been swirling about the integrity of officiating, particularly after a few controversial calls.
"That's a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously. But at the end of the day, it's something we always have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better?"
- Roger Goodell when asked about public perception that referees are favoring the Chiefs pic.twitter.com/uA2YX7FE7s
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 3, 2025
Goodell dismissed the idea outright. “That’s a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously,” he said. But he didn’t entirely brush off the larger discussion about officiating. Acknowledging the league’s ongoing efforts to improve, he added, “At the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better?”
His response reflects the tightrope the NFL must walk. While officiating controversies are nothing new, in an era of instant replay and social media scrutiny, every call is examined under a microscope. For a commissioner whose tenure has seen some of the most significant changes in the league’s history—from player safety reforms to franchise relocations—officiating remains one of the most persistent and contentious issues.