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Friday 3:30pm ET....Latest News....Goodell: "Nothing Is Off The Table"

  • Goodell Vows To Reform Conduct Policy: "Nothing Is Off The Table"
  • Marriott Will "Review" NFL Sponsorship Deal In Light Of Scandals
  • Chuck Hagel Asks Staff For Information On NFL Ties To Military
  • Miller Lite Renews Deal To Sponsor New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Goodell Vows To Reform Conduct Policy: "Nothing Is Off The Table"

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday made his first public statements in nine days and laid out a goal of implementing new personal conduct policies regarding domestic violence before the next Super Bowl. He added that this process will involve the input of the NFLPA and outside experts.

Goodell began his press conference accepting responsibility for the current climate: "We have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me. ... I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter, and I'm sorry for that. I got it wrong on a number of levels, from the process that I led to the decision that I reached. But now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that."

He then shifted to discussing the steps the league is already taking, such as the inquiry by former FBI Dir Robert Mueller: "I promise you that any shortcomings he finds in how we dealt with the situation will lead to swift action. ... We will get our house in order first." He also mentioned partnerships with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Goodell: "These incidents demonstrate that we can use the NFL to help create change, not only in our league but in society. ... We will re-examine, enhance and improve all of our current programs, and then we'll do more." 

On disciplining players, Goodell said, "These activities must be condemned and stopped through education and discipline. Our standards and the consequences of falling short must be clear, consistent and current. They must be implemented through procedures that are fair and transparent. ... Our country has a legal system that everyone needs to respect. When there is evidence of misconduct by anyone in the NFL, we need to carefully consider when to act and on what evidence. Everyone deserves a fair process."

Goodell said he has held talks with NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith and that the two "will meet next week to bring together experts to help us establish and live up to the standards that our fans deserve." Goodell: "I will be asking these experts to examine all current NFL policies related to employee and player conduct and discipline. There will be changes to our personal conduct policy. I know this because we will make it happen. Nothing is off the table. ... My goal is to complete this by the Super Bowl" (NFL Network, 9/19).

For more on this story, see Sunday's Weekend Rap.

Marriott Will "Review" NFL Sponsorship Deal In Light Of Scandals

NFL sponsor Marriott Hotels said that it will "use the recent domestic violence scandal to evaluate its deal with the league." A Marriott spokesperson said in a statement, "We will continue to follow this matter closely and await the findings of the investigations, at which time we will take the opportunity to review our sponsorship." While "some of its highest-profile sponsors have had strong words for the NFL this week, no brand has said it will outright terminate its deal." Marriott’s Courtyard brand has been the NFL's official hotel sponsor since '11 (BUZZFEED.com, 9/19).

Chuck Hagel Asks Staff For Information On NFL Ties To Military

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "has asked his staff for detailed information about the U.S. military's relationships" with the NFL in the wake of recent domestic violence incidents. The military "has a high-profile relationship with the NFL that goes back decades." The Army spends about $10M a year buying ads during NFL game telecasts, and games are broadcast by the Armed Forces Network. The Army and the NFL also have an "agreement to share information and resources to better understand traumatic brain injury" (CNN.com, 9/19).

Miller Lite Renews Deal To Sponsor New Hampshire Motor Speedway

New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials on Friday announced that Miller Lite has extended its deal to sponsor the track for another three years. The deal keeps Miller Lite as the "Official Beer Sponsor of New Hampshire Motor Speedway" through the '17 racing season. NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, who pilots the No. 2 Miller Lite Ford in the Sprint Cup Series, was on hand for the announcement (NHMS).

Oklahoma To Debut New Alternate Football Uniforms Against WVU

Oklahoma during Saturday's away game against West Virginia will debut its new alternate uniforms, which were first unveiled in July. The "crimson helmets feature a wood grain throughout the helmet with a white stripe down the middle and an oversized white logo on both sides." There is also a "white 'Boomer' on a black background on the forehead just above the facemask." The jerseys will feature "Oklahoma" on the chest, "instead of the traditional 'Sooners.'" The inner neckline is embroidered with "47 straight," honoring the team's winning streak in '53-57 (OKLAHOMAN, 9/18).

Jaguars President: Stadium Renovations Are A "Big Revenue Producer"

Jaguars President Mark Lamping Friday morning appeared on NFL Network’s “NFL AM” live from EverBank Field to discuss some of the stadium’s new features ahead of the team’s first regular-season home game of '14. NFL Net’s Jordan Babineaux noted the stadium now boasts the world's largest scoreboard, new cabanas, swimming pools, a "live DJ and more importantly ... free WiFi." Lamping said, “This is something we're trying to do to create a real personality for EverBank Field, a fun personality ... that is legitimately Jacksonville. At the same time, we've got challenges in this market and this is a big revenue producer for us.”

Lamping said the team is trying to "give our fans as many things as we possibly can that's different than what they can have at home. It isn't replacing the at-home experience, but it's a different option and hopefully it's compelling." Babineaux noted it is a "real interactive scoreboard" with live tweets, "new videoboards highlighting and showcasing fantasy football" and the Red Zone channel playing. Lamping: “This is a great football market but there are fans of a lot of different NFL teams and we think it's our responsibility to allow them to keep track of the entire league” (“NFL AM,” NFL Network, 9/19).

Speed Reads....

MLB honors Yankees SS Derek Jeter with a 30-second spot that includes a cameo from Angels CF Mike Trout and LLWS P Mo’Ne Davis: “A Model Of Greatness. Thanks Derek” (THE DAILY). Watch the spot.

LSU expects the "largest crowd in Tiger Stadium history" for Saturday's home game against Mississippi State. The venue was expanded this offseason to a capacity of 102,321 (NOLA.com, 9/17).

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority on Friday announced that the NLL franchise previously known as the Philadelphia Wings will be named the New England Black Wolves. The club, which relocated this summer, will play home games at Mohegan Sun Arena (MTGA).

Tommy Bahama and the NFL have teamed up for a second year on an officially licensed collection that features a limited production varsity jacket and a fitted zip front top for women (Tommy Bahama).

Merchants Bank and its managing agent, the Finley Group, has "taken control of Rockingham Speedway as foreclosure proceedings against the owners work their way through the court system" (YOURDAILYJOURNAL.com, 9/19).

Tempur-Pedic on Friday launched a Golf Sweepstakes, with golfer Kenny Perry serving as an ambassador of the consumer contest. Tempur-Pedic serves as the official mattress of the PGA Tour (Tempur-Pedic).

Quick Hits....

“We just want to let them know that we care, and appreciate what they do” – Sabres VP/Public & Community Relations Mike Gilbert, on having players and execs hand deliver some ticket packages to season-ticket holders (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/19).

"I was very surprised by many things, especially how things are done at Fifa” – UEFA President Michel Platini, on FIFA's handling of the World Cup luxury watch controversy. Platini has vowed to keep the watch and donate its cash value to a charity (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 9/19).

“I’m not going to be able to get on a first-name basis with all the 100,000 people that come to the race, but I’m going to try” – New Hampshire Motor Speedway GM Jerry Gappens, on visiting fans staying in campers and RVs near the track during race weekends (CONCORD MONITOR, 9/19).

Twitter Me This....

Variety's Brian Steinberg: "Pre-emptions in the digital age.To cover NFL's Goodell, Fox Sports 1 moves program to Fox Sports 2, and FS2 moves its show to mobile app"

Pro Football Talk's Darin Gantt: "If Roger Goodell sees his shadow when he comes out today, does Greg Hardy get six more weeks of paid vacation?"

SI.com's Brian Straus: "Sepp: The man has ultimate confidence. He's the shameless trainwreck on Jerry Springer telling the audience that it's their problem. Wow."

N.Y. Times Christopher Clarey: "French pick Lille football stadium for #DavisCup final: could break attendance record for a sanctioned #tennis match "

ESPN.com's David Newton: "#Panthers have added a microwave to the media room. That is the biggest news of the day so far."

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

Weekend Events....

SATURDAY

The Patriots will host a two-day Style Lounge at Gillette Stadium that will showcase the team’s fashion pieces. The event, hosted by DT Vince Wilfork’s wife Bianca, will include complimentary blue and red “fanicures.”

The Orioles will host a 5K walk in memory of late PR Dir Monica Barlow, who died in February at age 36 after battling non-small cell lung cancer.

The Starting Five....

The most-read stories today on SportsBusinessDaily.com:

1) Nike Execs Address Risks Of Sponsoring Athletes After High-Profile Terminations
2) Procter & Gamble Pulls Out Of Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative Due To Recent NFL Issues
3) Garber Confirms Possible Chivas USA Hiatus, But Some In MLS Oppose The Move
4) Weekend Plans With Yahoo Sports VP/Group Leads Ken Fuchs: BBQ, Beach, Bears
5) Exec Suggests A DC Olympic Stadium For '24 Games Could Be Redskins' New Home

The Daily's Hot Reads....

In his farewell column for YAHOO SPORTS, Martin Rogers writes when he moved to L.A. seven years ago, "both professionally and personally, I fell for American soccer, for the youth and bravery and beat-upon nature of it." Rogers: "I will always see the U.S. soccer team as a perennial underdog" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com).

Also:
 

See the Hot Reads section for more sports business-related links.

Daily Download....

Sounders and U.S. men's national team F Clint Dempsey Thursday night goes with the flow on stage at EA's "FIFA 15" launch party in N.Y.

Daily Digit....

9 – Years since CBS’ Jim Nantz has called a Seahawks game. Nantz, who is calling Sunday’s Broncos-Seahawks contest, last worked a Seahawks game on Christmas Eve during the ’05 season (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/19).

Notes & Quotes From This Day In SBD History....

2003
"There are very few women who are in front of television sets at 4 o'clock in the afternoon on a weekend. If they are there, they have to wrestle their husband for the clicker" - Neal Pilson, a WUSA consultant, on the viewership challenges for women's sports.