New Delhi, May 14 -- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has escalated his review of the NFL's long-standing hiring policies by issuing a formal subpoena to the league. The move targets the Rooney Rule and other diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, raising questions about possible civil rights violations under Florida law.

The Rooney Rule started in 2003 and requires NFL teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach, general manager, and coordinator jobs. Teams must also interview at least one minority candidate for the quarterbacks coach position. Named after the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, the policy was created to open doors for underrepresented groups in leadership roles without ...