Amid "widening criticism" surrounding the NFL's handling of the Ray Rice scandal, top league execs appeared "to be standing behind" Commissioner Roger Goodell, according to Kevin Clark of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. One NFL owner and another high-ranking team exec said that Goodell is "unlikely to face heat from the league's owners, who are the only group that can take action against the commissioner." Owners say that the bulk of Goodell's job is "related to the growing value of the league's 32 franchises and its television contract." They said that Goodell "insisted on policing the sport himself simply because he wanted to" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/10). In DC, Babb & Maske in a front-page piece note league execs "rejected any hint that Goodell’s job was in jeopardy." One exec said, “Look, it’s clear there were mistakes made. ... But if you’re asking me if people are ready to throw (Goodell) overboard because of this, the answer is no. I don’t think that would be a correct interpretation.” Former NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth indicated that he "didn't think Goodell's job security was in serious danger" as the NFL has "reasserted itself as a powerhouse" under his watch. Teams currently divide $9B in annual revenue, "far more than any other U.S. sports league." Foxworth said that this would "make owners think twice about ousting Goodell" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/10).
OWNERS STAND FOR GOODELL: In N.Y., Gary Myers writes there has been an "outcry for Goodell to lose his job over how he handled the Rice case," but that is "just not going to happen unless it’s proven he was not telling the truth" about not having seen the video from inside the elevator until Monday. The owners "love Goodell -- he has made millionaires and billionaires even wealthier ... and they are going to have his back on this one." This is his ninth season, he is "only 55 years old and plans on keeping the only job he’s ever wanted for quite a while." A source said of Goodell being fired, "I think that's a little harsh. He made a mistake, but this may be a bit of an overreaction" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/10). Meanwhile, Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said the NFL made a nice “recovery” on how it addressed the situation. Jones: “We have in blocking terminology, we have recovery. ... I know we’re doing that and trying to get it as good as we can get it on the second time around. I think that’s happening. There’s no question in my mind, the emphasis we have on spousal abuse in the NFL and the lack of tolerance for it. It’s intolerable and will be adjudicated accordingly" (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 9/9).
CALLS FOR HIS OUSTER REMAIN: In Chicago, John Kass writes the league "should fire" Goodell. He "had a chance to resign," but "didn't take it." Kass: "So fire him immediately." It is "clear that after watching" Goodell's interview with CBS' Norah O'Donnell that he "has to go." The notion that the league could not get the elevator video is "simply not credible" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/10). In S.F., Ann Killion writes Goodell "should follow Rice out the door" and resign. Goodell’s leadership "no longer has any integrity or credibility," and he no longer "can be trusted by the public, by the men and women he oversees" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/10). In Chicago, Mike Imrem writes under the header, "No Doubt About It, Goodell Must Go." Goodell should resign and "let the NFL see whether someone else can clean up his mess." Imrem: "How could any business mismanage a situation more than the NFL has this one? How could Goodell put the league in a worse position? How could he remain commissioner after the humiliation heaped on the business?" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 9/10). In Cleveland, Jeff Darcy writes Goodell "saw a video of an unconscious woman being dragged out of an elevator, dropped on the floor, and kicked into position by Ray Rice, who shows no signs of giving her comfort or aid, and ... only found that 'troubling.'" Goodell is "still not getting it right." He can "start holding himself accountable by resigning or at the very least, giving himself a two week suspension with mandatory sensitivity training on domestic violence" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/10). GRANTLAND's Andrew Sharp wrote under the header, "What Does It Take To Get Roger Goodell Fired?" (GRANTLAND.com, 9/9).
PRESSURE FROM THE HILL: U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) said that Goodell should “'seriously' consider resigning because of the way the league handled" penalizing Rice. THE HILL's Judy Kurtz noted Heitkamp’s remarks are "among the strongest so far from lawmakers calling for Goodell to vacate his position over the league’s response" to the Rice scandal. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) had "called on the NFL to impose a harsher punishment" against Rice, but yesterday "stopped short of calling for Goodell’s ouster." U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) yesterday said he “wasn’t prepared to say” Goodell should resign. Cardin said the league has “certainly learned from its mistakes. But we’ll see how it moves forward in these issues" (THEHILL.com, 9/9). Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said of Goodell, “He’s a very weak leader, especially considering he makes $44 million a year" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9/10). Meanwhile, VP Joe Biden said that the league "did the right thing by indefinitely suspending Rice" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/10).
DIRTY LITTLE SECRET: In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette wrote there is "no way the commissioner or the NFL can look like anything but stooges that hoped this appalling episode would just go away" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 9/9). In St. Louis, Bryan Burwell wrote Goodell's "wishy-washy, half-hearted handling" of the case is "taking on the air of an unflattering Nixonian mess" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/9). In Seattle, Jerry Brewer writes during his CBS interview, Goodell sounded "as unconvincing as any failed leader would be." Despite the assault being "Rice’s crime, it’s the NFL’s burden." And it is Goodell’s "potentially fatal mistake." Despite "calls for his head, Goodell won’t be fired, unless he knew about this video" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/10). In Ft. Worth, Gil Lebreton writes under the header, "Goodell's Unpardonable Sin Was His Ignorance" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/10).
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL: YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel wrote things are now "all falling apart for Roger Goodell," as this is the "scandal that Goodell never saw coming." His reputation is "that of a calculating and self-preserving executive but now he's been rocked by something he clearly never considered the importance of: left to find himself in a one-sided, mudslinging fight with TMZ, which everyone in Hollywood will tell you is a losing proposition" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/9). In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal writes the notion that Goodell is the "most powerful man in sports should be retired." The owners "are Goodell's bosses," and what Goodell "does, he does in the owners' interest, with their authority and their blessing" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/10). In DC, Jena McGregor wrote Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver "provide a stark study in contrasts of two leaders, each responding to a crisis and an ensuing public outcry that erupted into a national conversation." The public expects "strong leadership and an authoritative, proactive response." McGregor: "In short, they want to see a response just like Silver's -- and nothing like Goodell's" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/9).
