NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last night confirmed he is "having discussions" about renewing his contract through '24, adding he would be "honored to continue" in the position, according to John Niyo of the DETROIT NEWS. Goodell, during an appearance at a fan forum in Detroit, said, "The reality is, I believe the best days of the NFL are ahead, and as long as I can contribute to that, I would." Niyo notes Goodell "only truly serves a constituency of 32 owners," and business in recent years has been is "good." Despite bad press coming from issues "anthem protests to the high-profile player suspensions to last season’s notable drop in television ratings, it’s hardly a surprise that Goodell reportedly is close an agreement on a contract extension" (DETROIT NEWS, 8/23). ESPN.com's Seth Wickersham reported Goodell is "going to be commissioner for the near future not only because he has successfully made owners money but because he is masterful at dealing with his constituency." Even those who "privately disagree with many of Goodell's decisions begrudgingly respect his ability to handle owners, to know their needs and produce answers to their issues, a master of his own senate" (ESPN.com, 8/22). In Dallas, Tim Cowlishaw wrote it "seems like everyone has wanted Goodell fired at some point during the last five years." However, the "reality is that in today's professional sports world, the commissioner works for the owners." Those owners have "grown richer than ever on Goodell's watch" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/22).
