14 Quotes by Cyrus Mehri

The positives are that we have a Rooney Rule. We have a league that is not in a state of denial, but in a state of action to try to figure out solutions and working with us in a positive way. Every time there's been adversity, we've come back even stronger.

Basically, the evidence shows you have to be a superstar to get into the door, if you are African American. If you are white, you can be good, you can be average, you can be mediocre, and you can get in. Mediocrity is OK for the white candidates, but you have to be a superstar for the black candidates.

There is evidence of racial bias in the hiring cycle.

I think you have to focus on the inner circle of the decision-makers.

Our focus for the future is OK; now we've improved the process -- minority candidates are in the room being interviewed. Our next question is, when the doors close, and the owner makes the decision, who's in that inner circle?

We have some things to point to that we think are successful. We had a record number of interviews this year, over 25. . . We also had for the first time a trade for an African-American coach.

We have some things to point to that we think are successful. ... That being said, we still believe that there's a double standard. We still believe it's an uphill battle, it's not a level playing field, and there is evidence of racial bias in the hiring cycle.

We are undeterred. We have a tremendous, deep and wide pool of strong, viable minority candidates.

We're disappointed. Disappointed, but not deterred. You can't look at the hires collectively and not reach the conclusion that there's a double standard and there isn't a level playing field.