Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

NFL Lockout Watch, Day 52: Goodell Accepts Fans' Frustration With Him

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was "hit with a wave of boos" when he took the stage Thursday at the NFL Draft, and Friday Goodell said that he "understands the fans' feelings," according to Greg Logan of NEWSDAY. Goodell, during a conference call with Jets season-ticket holders, said, "I hear it directly from them. They want football. I want football. That was a clear indication of me not being able to solve that (labor situation). That's my responsibility, and I accept it" (NEWSDAY, 4/30). In Charlotte, Scott Fowler wrote the "utter venom" directed at Goodell "by fans before Thursday's first round really surprised me." Fowler: "I know it sounded loud on TV, but it was nearly deafening inside Radio City Music Hall" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/30). In Chicago, Vaughn McClure noted Goodell was "cheered by the fans when introduced" at the Bears Expo at Soldier Field on Saturday (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/1).

FACING THE MUSIC: CBSSPORTS.com's Mike Freeman noted Goodell was "greeted by some raw anger" at the Draft. But then "something strange happened." Goodell signed autographs and "took picture after picture." Fan anger "subsided and the same people who were expressing their rage began to whip out pens, paper and hats for Goodell to sign." Freeman: "Of course part of this is for public-relations purposes. The league never has missed an opportunity for that, but Goodell still deserves credit for going into the lion's den. … It took some guts for Goodell to make that trek with so many fans infuriated by the lockout. Infuriated, specifically, with him." Goodell is the "spokesman for the owners." He has "attempted to sway fan sentiment toward his side and, frankly, that mission has failed." But Freeman wrote, "In moments like the one here at Radio City he has the ability to win fans over" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/30). In DC, Sally Jenkins wrote, "You had to respect Goodell's aplomb and good nature in dealing with the social awkwardness, as well as the jeering displeasure of frustrated fans." The commissioner "clearly understood the power of the moment for young men who worked their whole lives to be chosen in the first round, and he translated it with exuberant, rib-cracking embraces, throwing out his arms to induct them into the brotherhood." Jenkins: "It was obviously the nicest part of his job, and he did it with deep feeling" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/30).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/05/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Goodell-Draft.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2011/05/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Goodell-Draft.aspx

CLOSE