NFL owners have "started renewal talks" with Commissioner Roger Goodell, whose employment contract with the league runs through March '19, according to Daniel Kaplan of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Falcons Owner and NFL compensation committee Chair Arthur Blank said, “It’s a process and it’s just begun." Kaplan notes the committee "met with Goodell last week" at the league’s owners' meeting in Phoenix. Goodell is "on his third contract," having renewed his original '06 deal in '09, and then again in '12. But the compensation committee considering Goodell’s next deal "looks different from the one that handled the last deal." The panel "previously comprised" Blank, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft and Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson. But Richardson is "no longer on the committee, having dropped out of league business" after the L.A. relocation decision in '16, "which he opposed." A "host of other owners now join Kraft and Blank," including Texans Owner Bob McNair, Giants President & CEO John Mara, Chiefs Chair & CEO Clark Hunt and Steelers President Art Rooney II. Mara "confirmed the makeup of the committee." It is "possible the larger group could dull the influence of Kraft, who remains upset about the Deflategate process and Goodell’s role." A source close to the Patriots said that Kraft "would consider all of Goodell’s attributes." Goodell's current contract "expires just as the league would begin negotiations with the union over a new collective-bargaining agreement and with broadcasters over new TV deals" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/3 issue).
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio cited a source as saying that Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones during an owners-only meeting last week in Phoenix "spoke extensively" on a number of topics. As to the issue of Goodell’s next contract, Jones "suggested that all owners be involved in the process." Multiple owners "currently believe that broader involvement of the membership would result in terms more favorable to the league." Jones also "raised the question of the NFL’s position on marijuana." A source said that Jones "wants the league to drop its prohibition on marijuana use." Jones "likewise urged an end to the practice of investigating off-field misconduct." A source added that it is "possible that owners-only meetings will occur on a more regular basis moving forward." This would give Jones and others a "chance to raise any and all ideas or concerns that they may have regarding a wide variety of topics and challenges facing the league" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/2).
NO CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION: ESPN's Mike Reiss wrote it would be "a major surprise" if the '17 kickoff opener is a Super Bowl LI rematch between the Patriots and Falcons. It seems top league decision-makers have "listened to Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who felt it was unfair last year" when his team had to travel to Denver for the opener in a Super Bowl 50 rematch with the Broncos after they had "spent all offseason trying to put that game behind them" (ESPN.com, 4/2).
THINK OF THE PLAYERS: In Boston, Ben Volin noted Ravens coach John Harbaugh believes the current CBA is hurting the NFL's product because the "strict rules that govern offseason workouts and training camp practices are making it increasingly difficult to develop players." In this CBA, players "can't wear pads or have any sort of contact during offseason workouts, rendering practices fairly useless for offensive and defensive linemen." The union "fought for these rules to better preserve the bodies of older players," and to "combat overzealous coaches." But as Cardinals coach Bruce Arians noted, his players "will only have seen seven or eight full-padded practices" in '17 before suiting up for their first preseason game. The '16 season was "marred by sloppy play, and Harbaugh doesn't think that was an accident." Harbaugh: "Our ability to put a good football game on the field has to do with our ability to train our players" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/2).
