Dealmakers In Sports: Kraft Hopes Goodell Deal Will Be Done By Dec. 13

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft said he hopes a new contract for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be completed by Dec. 13, when league owners meet in Dallas. Kraft, a member of the league's compensation committee made the comment after an appearance on stage at the inaugural Dealmakers in Sports conference in N.Y. There was speculation earlier that the committee might approve a new contract yesterday at its meeting in N.Y., but that did not happen. Goodell’s contract has become a hot topic for the league since Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones threatened to sue members of the committee if they extended Goodell, even though owners voted unanimously in May to give the committee the right to do so. Jones himself is at league headquarters today for other committee meetings. Jones has objected to the structure of the contract, and questioned Goodell’s leadership. It is unclear what he will do if he still has these concerns and the deal is approved.  Jones recently backed off the litigation threat.