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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Sources: More Than Half Of NFL Owners Want To Wait Before Extending Goodell Contract

More than half of NFL team owners "want to wait to extend" Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract "if for no other reason than they think the timing doing it now would be a PR disaster," according to sources cited by CNBC's Scott Wapner. This is "not an issue of not wanting" Goodell to stay in the position he has occupied since '06, but more about "not wanting to do it now" ("Fast Money Halftime Report," CNBC, 11/14). Wapner added, "This is simply about why rush and it would be tone deaf ... to do this right now" ("Power Lunch," CNBC, 11/14). ESPN's Adam Schefter noted while the NFL calls it "ridiculous nonsense" that team owners besides the Cowboys' Jerry Jones want to hold off on Goodell's extension, Jones "does have some support." There is some concern among other owners right now "about this deal and the terms on this deal” ("NFL Live," ESPN, 11/14). ESPN's Jim Trotter noted there "have been issues with Roger that some owners have concerns about, from domestic violence, personal conduct among players and how he handles that." Trotter: "Even prior to Jerry Jones coming out publicly and trying to slow the train down here, there were owners who said to me back in March, ‘Be on the lookout, Roger may have to earn his money now’" ("SportsCenter," ESPN2, 11/14).

GETTING READY FOR A FIGHT? YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson cited a source as saying that the NFL has given Jones an "unambiguous message that it will vigorously defend itself against any legal maneuvers attempted to delay" Goodell's extension. The source said that Jones was "informed both in written communication and also verbally by at least one member of the committee that plans to extend Goodell are moving forward regardless of legal threat." The source added that two "concrete themes have emerged: That the NFL’s league office and compensation committee members have been galvanized by the perceived 'bullying' attempts of Jones; and that the NFL’s 'conduct detrimental to the league' threshold will be considered in some fashion if Jones significantly escalates the fight" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 11/14). The Undefeated’s Jason Reid said the compensation committee “has made it clear” to Jones, “'We’re done with you, just stop this now. We’re moving forward in the negotiations, we’re going to get this thing done.’” They are “telling him, ‘Just be quiet now. You’ve had your say, you have done what you feel you needed to do but it’s over now’” ("OTL," ESPN, 11/14). 

CHANNELING HIS INNER AL DAVIS: Showtime's Boomer Esiason said of Jones' attack on the league, "I've never seen anything like this since Al Davis. He's going after Roger Goodell and the league right now, and I don't know where this is all going to end" ("Inside The NFL," Showtime, 11/14). ESPN's Dan Le Batard noted Jones "doesn't much care whether he's helping or hurting the NFL" by going after Goodell's contract. Le Batard: "This is about whether it helps Jerry Jones. ... This is a petty squabble about what it is that Jerry Jones wants as he wrestles for power" ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 11/14). Author John Feinstein said this likely is a battle Jones "can't win." Feinstein: "He's trying to make a point here, but I'm not exactly sure what it is. He didn't mind any of Goodell's other screwups" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 11/14).

IT'S IN THE DETAILS: In DC, Sally Jenkins writes Goodell "apparently thinks he should be paid twice as much as the chairman of Goldman Sachs." Jenkins: "For what?" It is a "serious question whether Goodell ... has earned a pay cut or even firing, rather than a raise." Jones is "no different from any other upset major shareholder." Goodell’s contract is "profoundly out of line with previous commissioners, who did far more for their money." Jones "represents a body of owners who have been growing uneasy for some time with Goodell’s judgment and the bloat and dysfunction" in the league office (WASHINGTON POST, 11/15). Also in DC, Thom Loverro writes under the header, "Whether Fellow Owners Like It Or Not, Jerry Jones Isn't Going Anywhere" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/15).

LONG-TERM PLANNING: Goodell last week at Bloomberg's The Year Ahead Summit said that there are "three challenges" he and the owners "have named" for the league. They are "negotiating deals with new media" and "extending the current labor deal." The league must also set up a "succession plan" for Goodell. THE MMQB's Jenny Vrentas wrote extending Goodell through '24 would "cover each of these areas, which is probably why it was drawn up exactly that way" (SI.com, 11/14). ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck noted there has to be "something else associated" with trying to get the deal done with 18 months remaining on it. Hasselbeck: "Is it because they want to engage the NFLPA about extending the 18-game season or opening up the CBA?” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 11/14).

MARK MY WORDS
: In Dallas, Eddie Sefko writes Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban can "appreciate what Jones is going through" as he has fought to keep Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott on the field, as Cuban has "been in his share of knock-down drag-outs with the NBA." Cuban said Jones is "not getting enough respect from the fans for the battle he's fighting." Cuban: "It is a brutal battle. It's him against the world, which he's used to and I think he likes. But he has 100 percent of my respect. What he's doing is the right thing." Cuban said that he would "change his stance 100 percent if it is proven that domestic violence was committed and the suspension is a correct call." He said, "I don't know the issues behind Zeke's suspension. If there's something that confirms that he's a bad guy or something like that, I take everything back" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/15).

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