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NFL 2009

Commissioner Goodell -- On Arnold & Holly Show on WEEI Radio
06/08/2009

COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL

On Arnold & Holly Show on WEEI Radio

June 8, 2009 – New York


On the inevitability of the NFL restructuring the season and having 17 or 18 regular season games:


RG: I don't think it's inevitable. The ownership and we have tried to very deliberately process and evaluate all of the ramifications of this. We want everything we do to be high quality. We have heard consistently from fans and media, and our own understanding of the preseason is that it is not up to the standards of the NFL. Our preseason games need to be adjusted. One of things that has become very clear out of this process is that we no longer need four preseason games for teams to get ready for the season. So this would be staying within the 20-game framework. It became at least an alternative we wanted to evaluate and we’ve looked at this every which way. We spoke with our Players Association last week about the idea of swapping two preseason games for two regular season games, which there is a very strong reaction to, but you want to make sure you understand every aspect of it, whether it be intended or unintended consequences. It is not a sure thing, but it is something that we're giving serious consideration to.


On the potential for playing the Super Bowl in London:


RG: I don't know how many times we can deny that that’s under serious consideration or any consideration. We just awarded the last Super Bowl to New Orleans. London wasn't even part of the consideration so it's not something that we are focused on at all.


On extending contracts with network television partners and Robert Kraft’s role in the negotiations:


RG: I have told Robert personally and I will say it to you and all of your listeners: it would not have happened without Robert’s leadership. He understands the broadcast business and he clearly understands our business. He understands the environment we are all working in with the economy as a member of the Federal Reserve in Massachusetts. His instincts and knowledge of our business really had us motivated and focused on a strategy to get it done on terms that were consistent with our partners and the NFL. He deserves tremendous credit.


On the league's vision for the TV deal:


RG: Robert hit it right on the head. We are the only league to continue to be successful on free television. Obviously that model is being challenged because of the advertising market right now and for us to be able to continue on free television for a two-year extension with both FOX and CBS says something about the quality of our product, the content that we have and that we can remain successful in that environment, on network television but also being able to have the ability to complement that with other types of programming and content. As an example as part of that extension we can now do the RedZone Channel, which we will now deliver to our cable, satellite and telco partners. We're able to do that without hurting the impact of being on free television and the model that our free television partners are trying to make successful. That is what has led this to be a very successful partnership and why the NFL has been intelligent with the way it has allocated its content.


On the personal conduct policy and Michael Vick:


RG: I said that we would deal with it once he went through his legal entanglement and that will be coming up shortly. I certainly will meet with him before I make a final decision. It's important to hear from these players before you make determinations about their future. But let me just say broadly, Dale and Michael, not only the Patriots but many of our other teams have recognized that character is huge issue. It is not just how you play the game, but how you conduct yourself on and off the field. That's coming to light because of the success of the Patriots and some of the other teams. How these players represent their teams, the Kraft family, and their communities, these are all very important to us and to our long-term future. The clubs have done a great job and the players are recognizing their responsibilities. When you are dealing with 2,000 young men, you are going to have some mistakes and unfortunately because of our popularity they're going to be quite visible. But they understand the responsibilities and they are going to be held accountable.


On the Collective Bargaining Agreement:


RG: Robert said it very well. We want to continue to grow the game and grow opportunities we have. The players put so much into this game and mean so much to the game -- guys like Richard Seymour reflect so positively on the game -- and they deserve to be paid well for that and paid fairly for that. There's a way to grow this game and allow the players to continue to benefit from that, as Robert said. We need to do that and we need to make sure there is a system that is in place that will ensure that. That's what we need to sit and figure out. We started informal discussions last week. I'm hopeful all parties are going to recognize the importance in doing this and continue to make this game great for our fans.


Thanks for coming on the show, commissioner.


RG: I was glad to be a part of it and I wish the Patriots a great day. What they're doing for the community is great. Robert, hit them straight I hope it is a great tournament today.



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