NFL Personnel Moves: Chiefs Look To Alter Business Sans Peterson
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Chiefs To Take Different Business Approach
Following Departure Of Peterson |
Yesterday's Chiefs-Bengals game was Carl Peterson's final game as Chiefs President, GM and CEO, and behind the scenes, the team is “preparing to change many aspects of the business, from how they negotiate player contracts to the game-day experience for fans,” according to Adam Teicher of the K.C. STAR. The front office's goal is to "smooth some of the rough edges," and the break with Peterson "provides the perfect opportunity to do it.” Chiefs Senior VP/Administration Bill Newman said Chiefs Chair Clark Hunt has "made it very clear: It’s about the fans, and it’s about a competitive product. You’re going to see that throughout the organization.” Teicher reported Peterson’s responsibilities will be divided, as the Chiefs will hire a president to run the business aspects and a GM to run the football operation. The team will look for a president “who can project a far different image,” as they “want someone who will be approachable and better able to connect with the fans.” They also will look “for someone friendlier with the football community than Peterson, who had more than his share of high-profile, acrimonious contract negotiations over the years.” Longtime Chiefs Exec VP & COO Denny Thum “will be a strong contender for the job.” Agent Ken Harris, who represents former Chiefs DE Jared Allen, said, “When I’ve had a free agent the last five years or so, the last place that free agent wanted to go was Kansas City because of who was running the show. … It had everything to do with the word on the street, what players talk about, what agents talk about. I expect that to change now that Peterson’s gone” (K.C. STAR, 12/28).
MIXED LEGACY: In looking back at Peterson’s tenure, Hunt said, “The last couple of years have been tough, but the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. I hope people will remember Carl as a person who brought a winning mentality back to the Chiefs. He helped create a great fan experience at Arrowhead, and he pushed the organization and its players to become a bigger part of the community." In Topeka, Rick Dean wrote Peterson's final 10 years “were never as productive” as his early years, and he became a "lightning rod for fan frustration.” Peterson “also will be remembered as a tough, nasty negotiator who often had public clashes with star players during private contract talks” (TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL, 12/28).
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