NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated that the draft would still take place in AprilGETTY IMAGES
The NFL has decided to take a "business-as-usual approach amid the coronavirus pandemic," and the result has been this "little sliver of entertainment that has provided a respite from the sobering reality of our times," according to Bob Glauber of NEWSDAY. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last week reaffirmed that the draft will begin as scheduled on April 23. The NFL has become a "welcome source of diversion in a world turned upside down by uncertainty, fear and heartbreak" at a time when "we are all desperate for some sense of normalcy." Goodell said, "I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country at large, and many of you have agreed." Glauber noted that part about the positive impact for the country at large is "what actually happened when the league went ahead with free agency as scheduled." Right now, the NFL is the only league providing sports commentary on a daily basis. While Goodell can be "applauded for proceeding with the draft, his threat to league employees who might otherwise disagree with the decision was off-base." It is "OK for people to disagree, and muzzling that sentiment isn't called for, especially in these difficult times that are emotional for everyone." Still, it "felt heavy-handed for Goodell to even bring it up" (NEWSDAY, 3/28).
TIME TO PLAN: NBCSPORTS.com’s Peter King reports a “working group of senior league officials and NFL Films, NFL Network and ESPN officials have been discussing draft alternatives from their homes via teleconference in recent days.” Both NFL Films in New Jersey and the NFL Network campus in L.A. have been deemed “non-essential businesses and shuttered by governors in those states,” leaving ESPN as the “only draft-related partner still open -- though with a skeleton crew.” However, President Trump saying that he “might establish a quarantine in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey at some point” could put ESPN’s Bristol campus in doubt as well. Meanwhile, the NFL will send out “about 50 portable camera kits with microphones to top prospects and college coaches, with better-than-FaceTime quality.” That will allow the draft coverage to include the top picks when they are selected (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/30).
BUSINESS AS USUAL: In Boston, Ben Volin noted the NFL is "resolute in continuing with its major events this offseason." It "may seem a bit crass for the NFL to continue with business as usual during these tough times." The NFL "could have pushed back the draft to give teams some time to figure everything out." Instead, Goodell and the owners' Executive Committee "gave a clear message: The show must go on" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/29). In N.Y., Mark Cannizzaro notes the plan is for the draft to "take place as scheduled,” but will that plan “remain the same in two or three weeks, when medical experts are predicting coronavirus cases to reach their peak?” That would mean it would take place “pretty much during the most dangerous period of this crisis” (N.Y. POST, 3/30).
STRONG MAN? SI.com's Conor Orr on Goodell's memo discouraging league dissent on the decision to hold the draft wondered, "Why threaten those who want to voice their issues?" Orr: "Why swerve into dictatorial waters when there are people whose livelihoods depend on the outcome of this event that are worried about so many of the procedural aspects of this? ... Why the strong man routine?" (SI.com, 3/27). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser called the threat "crazy and thin-skinned" and said, "There’s no reason to do this." However, Goodell "rules with an iron hand." ESPN's Michael Wilbon called it “heavy-handed” and said if “Goodell ever wonders why so many people feel the way they do about him -- particularly in his own sport, and I’m talking about the players -- this is one of those things." Wilbon: "As usual, he’s tone deaf” (“PTI,” ESPN, 3/27). SI.com's Jimmy Traina wrote, "Yes, Dictator Goodell is ready to take action against anyone from the league who questions the NFL's decision to go ahead with the draft on April 23." But for the NFL, it is "business as usual," and business as usual for the NFL is "money, money and more money." Traina: "I know many of you reading this will tell me that no employee should publicly question their boss, but it's Goodell's robotic and soulless way that he conveys his message that's so off-putting." Instead, in a time when nerves are at an all-time high, Goodell "threatens disciplinary action; just what employees fearful of losing their job need right now" (SI.com, 3/27).
READY BY SEPTEMBER? In N.Y., Pat Leonard wrote for the NFL to "play even one game, it needs to be able to safely welcome 61,500-80,000 fans into a stadium." Leonard: "How could the NFL possibly guarantee that type of safety by Labor Day?" On NFL exec wrote on NFL.com, "In September, can we have stadiums with people in them? I'm trying to watch what's going on in China moving toward normalcy. But who knows?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/29).
