Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

Goodell Begins Meeting With Players As Part Of Promise To Help With Social Issues

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin on Saturday "for about 70 minutes," part of the league's strategy to "get the players to believe the owners and Goodell are sincere about helping players spread their message," according to Peter King of THE MMQB. It is a "kind of equal partnership the owners and players haven’t had" that is "going to take time." Baldwin said, "For me, the conversation with the commissioner was to find out about the genuineness of the league. I know Roger has a good heart. I believe he has the best of intentions. We didn’t really talk about anything but ourselves -- where each other was coming from. This was a conversation for each of us to learn about what was important to the other. It was two men trying to get to know each other better." He added, "This was the first time I’ve gotten a chance to sit down and talk to him. I’m optimistic that we’re on the same page -- wanting to do the right thing for the right reasons in society." King notes the players "want a say, and Goodell seems intent on acceding to their wishes." Goodell is "smart to not press the anthem issue now, particularly with so few players demonstrating" (SI.com, 10/23). In Tacoma, Gregg Bell writes Baldwin "looked and sounded satisfied and indeed appreciative at the Goodell’s interest" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 10/23).

TIGHT COVERAGE: Redskins CB Josh Norman was part of the contingent that met with NFL owners last week to discuss social issues related to the players’ protests during the national anthem, and he said that he "plans to attend a follow-up meeting that’s expected to occur within the next two weeks." Norman said that he "attended to hear out the owners, see whether changes could be made, if any, and to back his fellow players." Norman: "We’re here, and we want to see what’s going on because if you wanna make a rule or make some change, I want to be part of something like that. ... I wanna know what’s going on. I wanna be in the know because if anybody makes a rule that I don’t think is right, I need to voice my opinion just as much as you voice your opinion on it." He added, "We’ve got another meeting coming up. So far, I guess, so good until something comes out of it" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/21).

AN UNBREAKABLE BOND? In N.Y., Gary Myers noted President Trump's initial comments regarding the national anthem on Sept. 22 prompted "unprecedented cooperation between the owners and the players with some owners joining the players on the sideline for the anthem." Myers: "If all goes well, I think this will carry over into a spirit of cooperation when CBA negotiations commence." In the last few weeks, there has been "multiple meetings between owners and players at the NFL offices on Park Avenue to devise strategies for the social issues that are so important to many African-American players." The consensus was the discussion and the joint projects has "created a strong appreciation for one another" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/22).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Goodell-Baldwin.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Goodell-Baldwin.aspx

CLOSE