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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Goodell's Credibility Waning With Rice Fallout; Media, PR Experts, Players Bash His Response

While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's job "may be safe," his credibility "has been badly damaged by the league’s botched and bungled response to the Ray Rice domestic violence saga," according to Don Banks of THE MMQB. Without credibility, it is "very difficult to respect his judgment or authority going forward" (MMQB.SI.com, 9/10). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes each time the NFL "repeats its position, it's another blow to the credibility of how business is conducted at NFL headquarters under Goodell's watch." It also "increases the heat on this commissioner like never before, despite solid support from the owners, especially the power brokers." But Goodell "has the look of the proverbial man with his pants on fire," and he "must be held accountable" (USA TODAY, 9/11). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes under the header, "Goodell, League Losing Credibility." Nobody is "buying the story Goodell and the NFL have tried so desperately to sell." If NFL execs did not see the video of Rice assaulting his then-fiancee, it is "only because they didn't want to see it." The NFL "has been playing fast and loose with the facts and it has to stop" (USA TODAY, 9/11). In Boston, Ron Borges writes if the heat "continues to rise, 'the shield' Goodell believes he’s protecting may not protect him much longer" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/11). In Philadelphia, Sam Donnellon writes Goodell "doesn't look very powerful right now, and I don't know how he regains any semblance of integrity" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/11).

CHANNELING NIXON: In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes the NFL "is now in full-blown Watergate cover-up mode," and Goodell "is a modern-day Richard Nixon." The scandal "changes every hour, and it’s increasingly possible that it might be unsurvivable for the mighty commissioner of our most popular league" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/11). In N.Y., Steve Serby writes it is "possible that Goodell, long regarded as a man of integrity, will ultimately be proven to be the football Richard Nixon" (N.Y. POST, 9/11). In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore writes Goodell is "a classic control freak who got woefully played in a game he would like to think he dominates." Blaming the police "is a fool’s game, especially when you don’t have your facts straight" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/11).

EXPERT OPINIONS: In L.A., Nathan Fenno cites crisis communications experts as saying that the "image promoted" by Goodell "is faltering." While the league's PR staff under Goodell "has successfully blunted questions about brain injuries suffered by players, the fallout from a murder-suicide and the lockout of referees, questions about the handling of the Rice imbroglio and domestic violence have only grown." Lexicon Communications President Steven Fink said of the league's handling of the Rice situation, "It's easier for me to list what they've done right, which is nothing. I would say some heads should roll. The only question is whether it will be Roger Goodell's head, but that probably won't happen because he's made a lot of money for NFL owners" (L.A. TIMES, 9/11). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Ben DiPietro wrote under the header, "Crisis Of The Week: NFL's Handling Of Ray Rice Scandal." DiPietro surveyed several crisis-management and reputation experts about how the NFL "has handled" the Rice situation (WSJ.com, 9/10). MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said, "This is a multi-billion dollar industry and they are screwing this up like they're a mom-and-pop startup" ("Morning Joe," MSNBC, 9/11).

SWEAT THE BIG STUFF: In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw writes Goodell has become a "major disappointment" because the "really big stuff gives him fits." In the "big cases -- the ones that define a league’s soul and its integrity -- Goodell has consistently failed to deliver" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/11). In Baton Rouge, Scott Rabalais writes under the header, "Roger Goodell Fumbles The Ball When Faced With Crises In NFL." Rabalais: "Under Goodell, the bigger the issues get, the worse they seem to be handled" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 9/11). The AP's Jim Litke writes Goodell has "been great for business, but bad at transparency." He "didn't get serious about concussions until improving science and a pack of lawyers forced his hand." He "bungled the Saints 'Bountygate' fiasco so badly, the league had to turn" to former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "to bail him out." When the Patriots "got caught stealing defensive signals from the Jets" in '07, Goodell "handed out stiff penalties and then unilaterally ordered the evidence destroyed." There is "too much blood in the water this time, though, for Goodell to get away without a full review of the facts" (AP, 9/11).

PLAYERS SPEAK OUT: In L.A., Sam Farmer notes NFLers "took to social media with their reaction, and within no time the hashtag #FireGoodell was trending on Twitter." Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin "threw Goodell's words back at him," directly quoting the commissioner from when he punished Saints coach Sean Payton in '12 for his role in BountyGate. Baldwin wrote, "Sean Payton was suspended for one year. ‘Ignorance is not an excuse.'" Former NFLer Brian Westbrook tweeted, "Being a leader is not a part time job. If Goodell holds the players to a high standard, he should be held to that same high standard!" (L.A. TIMES, 9/11). In S.F., Branch & Tafur note 49ers OT Anthony Davis "took to Twitter with a hashtag that suggested he hoped Goodell would be fired: '#ByeRoger.'" Chargers S Eric Weddle wrote, "As a husband, father and player I’m embarrassed to be associated with the NFL right now" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/11). Saints QB Drew Brees said that Goodell "does deserve to be held accountable for his actions as much as any player." Brees: "We're all held accountable for our actions as players. Certainly every owner should be held accountable for their actions. The commissioner should be held accountable for his actions" (ESPN.com, 9/10). Saints LB Jonathan Vilma on Twitter called Goodell's handling of the Rice case "appalling" and added the commissioner "needs to face the music." Vilma: "He should be held accountable for his lack of action just like Ray Rice has finally been held accountable for his actions." Meanwhile, former NFLer John Skelton called out Goodell for speaking exclusively to CBS and USA Today, tweeting, "NFL players get fined for avoiding the media and Q&A sessions. Goodell hand picks an interviewer and network. #hypocrite" (N.Y. POST, 9/11).

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