NFL Plans Reforms That Could Lessen Criticism From Politicians

The NFL is planning a "variety of steps to try to tamp down criticism from Capitol Hill" following the "worst week in its history" from a publicity perspective. The league "soon will begin announcing the hiring of outside advisers and counselors on domestic violence, similar to the talent surge on player health-and-safety issues, including concussions." The NFL also "plans to beef up its in-house staff for compliance and training, and will add domestic-violence awareness to its education programs at the high school and college levels" (POLITICO.com, 9/15).

This comes after U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) yesterday said that there "could be congressional hearings following the domestic violence incident" involving Ray Rice. In an interview on CBS' "Face The Nation," Gillibrand said, "If the NFL doesn't police themselves, then we will be looking more into it. I wouldn't be surprised if we had hearings" (POLITICO.com, 9/15).