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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Despite Growing Criticism For Handling Of Recent Scandals, Most Owners Support Goodell

Despite a month of "criticism from seemingly every other corner of the world," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after yesterday's owners meetings in N.Y. said that he "didn’t feel any blowback from his bosses," according to Kevin Clark of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Goodell said that he "felt no animosity from the owners, who have been generally supportive of the commissioner since the league became engulfed in a domestic-violence scandal a month ago" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/9). In N.Y., Christian Red notes Goodell "emerged from a nearly 12-hour work day ... resolute in repairing the league’s image and his own reputation after a months-long public relations nightmare over his handling of domestic violence issues" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/9). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes the owners "are not ready to bail" on Goodell, a sentiment that "was expressed publicly and privately" by several owners yesterday. Goodell's bosses "always have the final authority," and they also "seem to have his back -- for now." Texans Owner Bob McNair: "You don't can somebody for making one bad decision. He recognized that he made the wrong decision, and he corrected it." McNair added, "He's made thousands of decisions, and by and large, they've all been good." Falcons Owner Arthur Blank: "I think Roger, to his credit, has recognized that his decision-making has not been correct, and probably the league's position on some of these matters has not been consistently applied and held to the highest standards" (USA TODAY, 10/9). THE MMQB's Peter King writes Goodell yesterday "didn’t seem intimidated by the criticism he’s taken in the press and public over the past month." An NFC exec said, “He showed contrition without being meek” (MMQB.SI.com, 10/9).

STAND BY YOUR MAN: In N.Y., Gary Myers notes no owners gave Goodell "any pushback for the embarrassing way" he handled the Ray Rice case. Goodell has "withstood the avalanche of media and public criticism that came his way." The owners "like Goodell and love all the money he has made them," and about the "only punishment that might be handed out to Goodell is if the owners insist he give up unilateral power to discipline players." Giants Chair & Exec VP Steve Tisch: "I’m very supportive of how he’s handled it and how he’s going to continue to handle it. It’s going in the right direction.” Asked if he feels as good about Goodell as he ever has, Tisch said, “In a supportive role? Absolutely" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/9). In N.Y., Belson & Sandomir note yesterday's meeting with owners "was more tense than usual," but afterward Goodell "looked more comfortable ... than he did at his last news conference." The owners were "particularly elusive" about their discussions with Goodell, and those who did speak "stuck to happier topics." The owners during the meeting "heard a 40-minute presentation about the dangers of domestic violence" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/9). 

HOLD YOUR TONGUE: In N.Y., Bart Hubbuch notes owners have "maintained their support for Goodell, although none -- not even such vocal backers" as Giants President & CEO John Mara and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft -- "would speak about him Wednesday as they seemed to be operating under a league-wide gag order" (N.Y. POST, 10/9). THE MMQB's King notes reporters at the owners meetings usually can "sidle up to owners and club presidents and league-office honchos." But the media yesterday "was bullpenned away from close contact with owners and top club officials." This was a "different NFL for now ... a tight-lipped league with a commissioner under fire from much of NFL America." The owners "support Goodell, and there is no movement or a hint of one that, at the moment, would put his job in jeopardy" (MMQB.SI.com, 10/9). In L.A., Sam Farmer notes several owners who are "typically more talkative at these meetings were more camera shy, walking briskly with heads down to get to their waiting limousines and avoid the media." Jones and son, COO & Exec VP Stephen Jones, "made an early exit for a business meeting nearby," while Kraft "waved off questions" (L.A. TIMES, 10/9).

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