NFL assures ‘diverse, free’ workplace for women after investigation threat

The NFL has assured a group of state Attorney Generals of a “diverse, inclusive and free” work environment for female employees after being threatened by investigations.

Brian McCarthy, the spokesperson for the American football league shared a commitment to “ensuring that all of our workplaces — including the league office and 32 clubs — are diverse, inclusive and free from discrimination and harassment.”

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The NFL spokesperson, however, admitted that the league still had “more work to do” to ensure a safe work environment for everyone, NBC reported.

At least six state Attorney Generals expressed “grave concerns” about harassment and discrimination. Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, will be spearheading the effort. 

Other states that may join the investigation include Minnesota, Illinois, Washington, Massachusetts and Oregon.

The investigation will reportedly focus on an alleged “overly hostile” workplace culture for women and at the same time probe “allegations of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation by employers throughout our states, including at the National Football League”, according to reports from NBC News.

The Attorney Generals from the six states wrote a joint letter to NFL’s commissioner Roger Goodell citing a New York Times investigation that alleged at least 30 female employees of the league were subject to inappropriate behavior.

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The letter to NFL commissioner Goodell referred to complaints like “unwanted touching” from senior male officials, being snubbed from promotions because of their gender and being made to attend social gatherings where prostitutes were hired, according to reports from NBC News.

“All of this is entirely unacceptable and potentially unlawful,” the letter from the Attorney Generals said. “The NFL must do better — pink jerseys are not a replacement for equal treatment and full inclusion of women in the workplace.”