04/19/24
August 08, 2006
The NFL names former Tagliabue top assistant Roger Goodell new commissioner.: Not much of a surprise there.
posted by Ufez Jones to football at 08:26 PM - 18 comments
The NFL doesn't do this very often, and from what the pundits were saying it was apparently clear that he'd been groomed for this job for years. Here's what I get from this: If you get a job as an intern with the NFL now, then you'll have the chance to work your way up to be Goodell's successor by the time he steps down sometime in 2030. If you want the job, that is.
posted by chicobangs at 09:28 PM on August 08, 2006
it was apparently clear that he'd been groomed for this job for years. That's all I've heard (hence my no surprise comment), but I've a sincere question for true blue NFL followers (since I'm not one): Is it necessarily a good thing to bring in someone who is going to go with, more than likely, the same company Tagliabue line? Granted, Tags, from what I've heard, did one hell of a great job commishing the NFL, but is there need for change? Might the NFL benefit from someone an outsider coming in and ushering in a new era (and of course, for fuck's sake, I don't mean Condi)? Just curious, since I'm not a hardcore NFL fan.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:03 PM on August 08, 2006
Might the NFL benefit from someone an outsider coming in and ushering in a new era (and of course, for fuck's sake, I don't mean Condi)? Just curious, since I'm not a hardcore NFL fan. It might, but it's my guess the owners are afraid of what kind of an era a new commissioner might usher in. This way at least the devil they know (and control) is safer then a devil they don't know. Wouldn't be Condi anyway. Her boyfriend wouldn't let her away from the job she has now.
posted by commander cody at 11:06 PM on August 08, 2006
I do not know much more about Goodel than the article mentions. That being said, I would agree with his getting the nod fot the same reasons mentioned. The labor agreement iis in place through 2008, the TV contracts are good thrhough 2011. The two biggest things currentle on the commisioner's plate are putting a team(s) into the LA area and maximizing the money making for NFL Network. Both of these are middle-of-the-stream, long term projects that are better handled by someone that has been involved with then as opposed to bringing a new face and philosophy. As a fan who is neither in LA nor in a market with access to NFL Network, I would have loved to see someone brought in who would address the officiating situation, but as this does not seem to be anything that is of concern to the owners (or at least to those with representation on the competition committee) then getting such a person voted into the office would have been slight regardless. CC, I do not think it is being afraid of a new mindset, but rather a case of wanting to see the current course to fruition. And realistically, is it fair to accuse either Goodel or Tagliabue of having been in the owners' pocket? That is an accusation that mat be valid in the MLB, but I do not see in in the NFL.
posted by elovrich at 02:23 AM on August 09, 2006
Well certainly elovrich it may be a bit too strong to say he's in their pockets. However, as the article points out, the commissioner does ultimately work for the owners, as opposed to a separate league office. In the grand scheme of things they are his bosses. They do the hiring and the firing, so he's not any more, but certainly not any less, in their pockets then any other employee would be.
posted by commander cody at 02:52 AM on August 09, 2006
Since the NFL now has someone to take over when "Tags" leaves; I hope the new commissioner will address the team revenue issue. I would like to see some of the smaller market teams get a bigger piece of the pie, creating, ultimately, a better parity (is that the word I want?) when it comes to players' salery. Wouldn't this help a small market team keep/attract the better player? Commander, Condi has a boyfriend? who knew! lol
posted by steelergirl at 06:01 AM on August 09, 2006
Commander, step away from the slippery slope before another can of squiggly invertebrates gets opened.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:35 AM on August 09, 2006
Is it necessarily a good thing to bring in someone who is going to go with, more than likely, the same company Tagliabue line? I think the owners are pretty happy with the direction the NFL is going. It is continuing to gain and popularity. There is a lot of money to be made by everyone. What's not to love?
posted by bperk at 08:54 AM on August 09, 2006
Commander, step away from the slippery slope before another can of squiggly invertebrates gets opened. /backing away....slowly...
posted by commander cody at 11:10 AM on August 09, 2006
Yay!? I'm so excited. Pro sports need a real commish who isn't afraid to clean house.Will they get one?Don't hold your breath.
posted by sickleguy at 01:49 PM on August 09, 2006
I thnk they screwed up hiring this guy, when Al Sharpton is available.
posted by lightman at 03:36 PM on August 09, 2006
I hope he does better with LA. He's a bad pick altogether, the next Bud Selig.
posted by Joe88 at 04:09 PM on August 09, 2006
steelergirl, The NFL already has a fairly decent Revenue sharing system. This is what allows teams such as Green Bay, Cincinnati and I'm assuming.... Your beloved Steelers to still exist and yes... be competitive. While it may be true that some teams (The Cowboys spring to mind) may make a bit more on Team merchandise licensing, the system is reasonably equitable. Besides, the NFL, unlike Baseball and Basketball does enforce a "True" cap structure so simply spreading more money around will not guarantee that a team can buy a championship.
posted by R_A_Mason at 05:31 PM on August 09, 2006
I still like to see Tagliabue gone. I really hope Godell (despite being married to Jane Skinner, if that's not off topic) marks the return to LA.
posted by Joe88 at 05:35 PM on August 09, 2006
I still like to see Tagliabue gone Because . . . Call me old-fashioned, but I like a declared reason.
posted by yerfatma at 08:24 PM on August 09, 2006
So basically yerfatma you're bourbon, sugar and bitters?
posted by commander cody at 08:37 PM on August 09, 2006
R_A_Mason, I will admit I am somewhat ignorant of how the revenue is spread around. But wouldn't bigger budgets allow for a team to keep or acquire better players? And I am not worried about my "beloved Steelers" they always seen to do fine even when losing key players because of the salery cap. And I don't think you can "buy" a championship in football. But wouldn't the lower budgeted teams benefit from more revenue? I am open to your comments.
posted by steelergirl at 05:11 PM on August 12, 2006
I don't know enough about him to comment about him. I do know better he then me considering how much hassle the job is. It's one of those jobs where no matter what you do at least half the people involved with football, including the fans, are going to always be pissed at you about something. Sort of like being married.