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Roger Goodell: NFL 'better' because of diversity protocols

Mon Feb 3 5:43pm ET
Field Level Media

NEW ORLEANS -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell rates NOLA as the perfect Super Bowl host but envisions taking the league's marquee event beyond U.S. borders.

"I do think there's a potential that someday we'll have an international franchise," Goodell said Monday afternoon in the Saints' locker room at Caesars Superdome, set up for use by temporary tenants, the Philadelphia Eagles. "We do like to have -- being here in New Orleans, this is a great thing for the New Orleans Saints. Have the world's attention. I think the same would be true of an international franchise."

Prior to last year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Goodell publicly embraced moving to a shorter preseason -- currently three games per team -- and expanding the regular season from 17 to 18 games to meet overwhelming interest from fans. Goodell said the NFL and NFLPA haven't had formal negotiating sessions around expanding the regular season, which must be collectively bargained with players.

But the league definitely believes "18 and 2 might be a possibility," Goodell said, without disclosing a specific timeframe for the shift.

"The (18-game discussion will) come up in the context of the broader CBA issues. It will be part of the formal discussions (with the NFLPA)," Goodell said.

"We were able to do that when we moved to 17 games back in 2020. This year, the data on safety has been extraordinary on player safety and injuries. Concussions are at a historically low level this year. ... I think all of those are factors in, how do we look at the offseason?"

Goodell said the NFL continues to follow up with minority candidates regarding the "sincerity" of coaching interviews called into question recently under the "Rooney Rule" requirement for minorities to be included in team searches for coach and GM vacancies. Asked about the Trump Administration making efforts to dismantle diversity and inclusion protocol in corporations and federal hiring, Goodell said the NFL is continuing those efforts "because it does make the NFL better."

"We see that. We see how it's benefited the National Football League," Goodell said. "So many of us, including the National Football League and our office, are doing that voluntarily because it has benefitted our company.

"I am proud of it in this sense: I believe our diversity efforts have made the NFL better. We think we're better when we get different perspectives."

Goodell was seated on a makeshift stage with emcee Curt Menefee of FOX separated by the Lombardi Trophy and helmets of the Super Bowl LIX teams.

On the field Sunday, the Chiefs are chasing a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory while some fans and corners of social media are convinced Kansas City is receiving the benefit of favor from officials. Goodell said the NFL sees and hears complaints about officiating but denied there's any legitimacy to the theory the league "scripts" or prefers that the Chiefs succeed.

"From a lot of those theories are things that happen in social media and they get a new life," Goodell said. "Nobody wants it to be their theory. I understand it. I think it reflects a lot of the fans' passion. ... That's a ridiculous theory for anyone that might take it seriously."

New Orleans serves as the host city for a league record-tying 11th time on Sunday. Goodell and the league applauded renovations to the Superdome as the centerpiece of the headline event in pro sports.

"Obviously the stadium is a big part of that, the stage ... we realize this is a place that is sort of perfect for the Super Bowl," Goodell said.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempts to win his fourth Super Bowl ring on Sunday, which would still be three shy of record-holder Tom Brady.

Brady is on the call of the game Sunday with FOX in his first season as the featured game analyst on the network's No. 1 team with Kevin Burkhardt. Brady's presence in a dual role since he was approved as minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders has connected him more closely than most know to Goodell.

"He calls frequently," Goodell said of Brady, his infamous ‘Deflategate' rival. "To ask, ‘Am I doing OK?'"

The league reiterated Monday that Brady is "still subject to tampering rules and held accountable for that" after new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Brady is integrally involved in the team's football operation.

"In the case of this actual transition, we had special rules for this," Goodell said of Brady's role as owner and access-holding broadcaster. "That's something we'll obviously consider in the offseason -- should that policy be adjusted? Right now, Tom has been incredibly cooperative."

--The NFL has two franchises in Los Angeles -- the Rams and Chargers -- and will play the Super Bowl at their home stadium in two years. Goodell said the league intends to be "good corporate citizens but also to lead" in the rebuilding process that could take years in some communities.

Five NFL employees lost their homes in the fires.

"The NFL is going to be there to support that," the commissioner said. "It's also going to be there to support our platform -- give attention and focus to a community or issue that we all need to be aware of. ... We'll want to be part of that and rebuilding L.A. as soon as possible."

--Goodell celebrated Louisiana on Monday becoming the 15th state to legally recognize girls high school flag football as an official sport. He said there is significant interest from the NFL and beyond to establish a "professional flag football league."

--Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Roger Goodell: NFL 'better' because of diversity protocols

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