The Miami Dolphins have been ruled not to have violated the league's Rooney Rule in hiring Mike Tannenbaum as the team's new executive vice president of football operations, per an AP report.
The rule states that teams must consider minority candidates when hiring for senior football operations positions. However, the league stated on Wednesday that the Rooney Rule does not apply to Tannenbaum's new position.
"We have discussed the hiring of Mike Tannenbaum for a senior football position with Dolphins owner Steve Ross," the league indicated in a statement. "Mr. Ross has confirmed that general manager Dennis Hickey retains all of his prior authority over the draft and other personnel matters, and that Mr. Hickey will continue to report directly to Mr. Ross on these matters. Any public statement to the contrary is erroneous and does not accurately reflect the reporting structure at the Dolphins."
Although the Dolphins said in a news release on Tuesday that Hickey will report directly to Tannenbaum, it also stated that Hickey will retain control over the franchise's personnel and scouting departments and the team's 53-man roster. Thus, Tannenbaum's position doesn't technically fall under the parameters outlined by the Rooney Rule.
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