Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones last week "put forth a resolution" to table NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract talks "for six months prior to the agreement," according to a league memo cited by Seth Wickersham of ESPN.com. Jones will be allowed to "raise his concerns about the commissioner's authority pertaining to league discipline and other issues" on Wednesday at the NFL owners' meeting. Sources said that Falcons Owner Arthur Blank, chair of the league's compensation committee, had "told owners in private conversations in the lead-up to the deal that Jones had assured him that if he didn't have the votes" to delay Goodell's extension, then he "would back down." Many owners "believe that pledge was not made in good faith and see his failure to withdraw his resolution for Wednesday as proof." One owner said Jones "went back on his word." Sources also said that they "now suspect that Jones and other owners will push for significant staffing changes" among the league's exec VPs and "for changes to how Goodell handles player disciplinary matters" (ESPN.com, 12/10). CBS' Jason La Canfora said, "As much as Jerry Jones huffed and puffed, he was never going to blow Roger Goodell's house down" ("That Other Pregame Show," CBSSN, 12/10). Goodell today on CNBC was asked about his relationship with Jones, with the net's Joe Kernen asking, "Have you spoken to Jerry Jones? You guys okay?” Goodell: “Oh sure.” Meanwhile, it was reported Goodell was looking for lifetime use of a private plane as part of his extension, and CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin asked, "Was the plane request real? Goodell: “What plane request? ... Anything I’ll have as far as access to an airplane, I pay for” ("Squawk Box," CNBC, 12/11).
DEAL DETAILS: THE MMQB's Peter King cites sources as saying that it is "highly unlikely" Goodell will make the reported potential $40M a year in this deal. Sources said that there is "no way" the extension will net Goodell $200M over five years. The deal essentially guarantees Goodell about $3.9M a year through '23 before expiring in March '24, with an estimated 88% of the deal "incentive-based." If Goodell "hits a few grand slams every year and reaches the max incentives in league success metrics such as attendance, TV ratings, income, etc., he’ll hit or approach" $40M. But that is "unlikely to happen," at least "not regularly" (SI.com, 12/11). CBS' La Canfora said there will be a lot of talk "about cutting costs at the league office" at Wednesday's owners' meeting. La Canfora said owners are "willing to pay the commissioner," but noted there are a lot of people in the league office "making a lot of money" who may not be back there in '18 ("That Other Pregame Show," CBSSN, 12/10).
