Goodell Details Severance Packages In E-Mail To NFL Staffers

Goodell Expects To Reduce NFL Staff By At Least 10-15% Ultimately

PART OF BROADER EFFORT: In N.Y., Judy Battista reports the job cuts are "part of a broader effort to reduce the league's costs," as travel and corporate outings also have "come under the knife, although those cuts are not expected to be noticed by fans." The NFL is being "squeezed by, among other things, sagging licensed merchandising sales, sponsorship renewals and new-media deals." Owners have argued that they are "under pressure because of rising costs, including their debt on stadium construction and renovation, while their revenue remains flat or declines." That is "one reason owners will consider playing two more regular-season games in future seasons, while reducing the preseason, possibly starting in 2011." Battista notes the NFL, with revenue estimated at $6.5B for this year, has until now "experienced nearly unfettered financial success" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/10). NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello: "We're looking at everything with an eye to how we can be more efficient and reduce costs." The AP's Dave Goldberg noted the NFL now joins MLBAM, the NBA and NASCAR teams in announcing layoffs. The NHL "hasn't laid off workers," but a spokesperson yesterday said that the league is "in a hiring freeze" (AP, 12/9). 

CAN HAPPEN TO ANYBODY: Sports Business Group President David Carter said of the job cuts, "If it can happen at the NFL level, imagine the retrenching that is going to have to go on in the secondary sports leagues" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/10). In Sacramento, Bill Bradley writes, "This shouldn't be shocking, but the NFL was perceived as the league that was made of Teflon. The league that could do no wrong. And it seemed to print money while running past other leagues as America's Pastime years ago. But if the NFL is throwing off ballast, then you know the marketplace has changed" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/10). In N.Y., Gary Myers writes the victims of the NFL job cuts are "no different than anybody else losing their job in these difficult times, but the big difference is that this is not the struggling automobile industry." This is "not a bank in trouble," as the teams are owned by "extraordinarily wealthy people." The NFL has had a "license to print money for decades," and while the league is "not immune to the economic downturn, Goodell won't be applying for a government bailout anytime soon" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/10).

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