NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has appeared in several radio interviews early this Super Bowl week, and when asked by FS1’s Colin Cowherd if he is comfortable with gambling in the NFL, he said the league has been "unequivocal in the point that the integrity" of the game is the NFL's "most important issue." Goodell: "We want to make sure that our fans know that what they are seeing play out in front of them … is not influenced by anything. Whatever changes occur, and we all know there’s an evolution of what’s going on in gambling … so we have to be prepared for any outcome. I don’t think anyone would’ve imagined ten years ago we would have a franchise in Las Vegas, and that’s going to require us to think about some of our policies differently" (“The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Fox Sports Radio, 1/29). Appearing on ESPN Radio's "Golic & Wingo" this morning, Goodell added, "Clearly there are changes occurring. The Supreme Court is considering changes potentially in laws with respect to gambling across our country and I think we’re going to be prepared as a league to address those, no matter how the Supreme Court comes out, but also how things continue to evolve. I think we have, but we’re going to protect the integrity of the game” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 1/30).
STAYING ACTIVE: Goodell said of the NFL’s new social activism initiative, “The key thing was listening to our players, understanding what our players were passionate about, what they were focused on. The incredible thing for me that certainly opened my eyes and the ownership's eyes, to things happening in our own communities that our players felt needed to be addressed. They are not only articulate about it, they fully understand it, they are engaged. They've done a tremendous amount of work and they believe we can make our communities better by working together." Goodell said of his expectations for protesting next season, “Our focus is going to be on creating this platform so that players can continue to talk about the important work that needs to be done. We've often said we need to move from protest to progress and this platform is that. This is what they sought. This is the type of activities that we all wanted to work together to try to promote and try to make an impact in our community.” Goodell said if he had talked with military veterans about the protests, “I met with several of them, including the national commander of the V.F.W. I think it's important to do that. Some of the players joined us in some of those meetings” ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 1/30).
PRESENTATION SENSATION: Goodell said one of the things he takes "great pride" in is the "innovation" on the broadcast side of things. He said, "On the presentation of the game, it’s one of the reasons we rely so much on our broadcast partners. … It’s that innovation that’s giving a perspective to the fan that they didn’t have before, and that’s what we drive ourselves on: what is it that the fan wants that we aren’t delivering on?” (“The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Fox Sports Radio, 1/29).
