The NFL has broadened its "Rooney Rule" by requiring teams to interview at least one minority candidate when seeking to fill its senior football operations positions.

Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the NFL's 32 member teams of the new requirement, which received strong endorsement at league meetings last month. The change is expected to provide minorities more opportunities to fill each franchise's one senior football post.

Currently, there are five minorities filling top executive positions in the NFL, including Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore.

The new rule builds on the requirement that applies to head-coaching vacancies that was established seven years ago by an NFL committee led by Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.