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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NFL Refutes Accusation About Attempting To Improperly Influence Concussion Study

The NFL is "fighting back against the accusation that it tried to improperly steer concussion research funds," according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday "denied that the NFL pulled back its financial commitment and took umbrage" with the findings of a congressional report. Falcons Owner Arthur Blank said that the owners "spent a significant time" at yesterday's league meetings "talking about health and safety, and believe that the congressional report and subsequent report by ESPN was one-sided and imbalanced." Blank: "The league is doing everything it can possibly do. Sometimes the media is not always balanced in the way things are reported, and I think the league probably needs to do more in communicating the research that it’s supporting and its side of some of the positions and arguments that have been taken." Volin writes the NFL in the past "would often stick its head in the sand and hope that this type of negative story goes away on its own." But "given the tenor" of yesterday's comments, "expect the NFL to continue to vociferously defend themselves on this issue in the coming days" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/25). In DC, Mark Maske reports Goodell yesterday admitted he "didn’t see the report” when it was first released. He said, “We were traveling down [to the owners meeting in Charlotte]. But I take a much different position to that on several fronts" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/25).

OWNERS TAKING THEIR CUES: USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes perception is "not on the NFL's side here." Texans Owner Bob McNair said, "It's a bad look. But it's not true." By the time Goodell "tried to explain it all at his wrap-up press conference, several owners had already expressed his sentiments." Taking a cue from Goodell, owners "struck the expected consensus in refuting the report." Whatever progress the NFL has made in its campaign to "ensure the world that football is safe has been seemingly set back by the type of scenario that further undermines public trust." Blank: "The league needs to respond to that perception. I think perception is the right word, but reality is different" (USA TODAY, 5/25). Goodell yesterday said that the league is "committed to making the sport as safe as possible for players." Goodell: "We’ve seen some very positive reports about retired players in the last couple of weeks. But we need to reach out to our retired players. We need to reach out to our current players, let them know what’s happening out there, the facts. .... We’re going to continue to be committed to this, have transparency in what we do" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/25).

DOCTOR FIGHTS BACK: The AP reported NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee co-Chair Dr. Richard Ellenbogen has "sent a letter to Congress stressing that he was not contacted by a committee handling a report during a government study on the link between football and brain disease." Ellenbogen in a letter to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) wrote that claims he and others "tried to influence a National Institutes of Health grant selection are inaccurate." Ellenbogen "called not being interviewed a 'basic lack of fairness' and a 'maligning without so much as the courtesy of a direct question to me by your staff'" (AP, 5/24).

SHAME GAME: In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes the accusation in the report "is clear: The NFL wanted to fund only the concussion research it thought would be beneficial to its cause." This funding imbroglio is "a bad look for the league." The NFL "has to decide whether its priority is protecting its product or protecting its players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/25). In DC, Sally Jenkins writes a pair of "short, ringingly clear documents" -- the congressional report on the league's handling of concussion research and an appeal by Patriots QB Tom Brady in the Deflategate case -- "delivered a one-two punch" to the NFL on Monday. They "should be read as companion pieces, and read closely, because they form a consistent portrait of how the league does business." It has "no real respect for law, or labor or science." It "should be clear by now that the NFL’s leaders, Goodell and the owners who are his allies, lack any sense of public responsibility or trust" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/25). ESPN's Michael Smith said, "No matter what they say, nobody’s going to take them at their word for anything. ... They’ve always looked out for themselves, they’ve never looked out for the players’ well-being" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 5/25). A BOSTON HERALD editorial runs under the header, "NFL Integrity Deflated." The congressional report issued Monday on the "appalling conduct" of the NFL with regard to the head trauma study "shows the league for the dishonest bullies that they are" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/25).

FANS WILL KEEP COMING: In Boston, Karen Guregian writes all team owners care about is the league "thriving and bringing in money." With Goodell at the helm, the rich "keep getting richer." While fans "might be appalled at the latest Congressional report and allegations against the NFL, is it going to stop them from going to the games or purchasing merchandise?" Guregian: "Probably not." So Goodell "just marches on, treating the report like it was no big deal, even though health and safety was a priority" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/25). ESPN’s Jemele Hill said, “I don’t know why people expect the NFL to act with any level of morality. ... We do not hold them accountable." Hill: "You can’t on one end say, ‘Aw man, concussions, this is terrible. I hate Roger Goodell.’ You’re still watching on Sunday, you’re still getting Sunday Ticket, you’re still tuning in every single second, so they have no reason to stop what they are doing." She added, "Business is better than it has ever been. ... Nothing changes until it starts costing people money” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 5/25).

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