NEW ORLEANS (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disputed the notion that officers favor the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, saying it’s a “ridiculous idea.”
Goodell addressed a number of matters, together with variety, an 18-game season, international expansion, Tom Brady’s twin function as a broadcaster and co-owner and extra throughout his annual information convention that kicked off Tremendous Bowl week on Monday.
The Chiefs are going for a three-peat Sunday in a rematch in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, who misplaced to Kansas Metropolis 38-35 two years in the past.
The 2-time defending champions have benefited from calls which have gone their method within the playoffs. There have been two roughing-the-passer penalties throughout a 23-14 victory over Houston within the divisional spherical that viewers, together with Fox broadcasters Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, thought of egregious.
A questionable spot on Josh Allen’s sneak on fourth-and-1 within the fourth quarter of Kansas Metropolis’s 32-29 victory over Buffalo within the AFC championship recreation grew to become a significant level of rivalry.
“A whole lot of these theories are issues that occur in social media and so they get a brand new life,” Goodell stated throughout his 48-minute information convention contained in the Saints’ locker room. “I perceive that. I believe it displays a number of the followers’ ardour and is a reminder for us on how vital officiating is. I believe the women and men officiating the NFL are excellent. We now have the best attainable requirements. It’s a ridiculous idea for anybody who may take it critically. However on the finish of the day it’s one thing we’ve to work at, how will we make our officiating higher.”
Goodell stated the league evaluates officers in a number of methods.
“It’s not simply the efficiency on the sector however issues that go on in their very own lives.” Goodell stated. “We monitor that very carefully in quite a few methods. …. It’s a tricky job, a very onerous job. I’ve by no means seen a extra devoted group of individuals to getting it proper, doing one of the best job they probably can. And I’m pleased with the work they do.”
NFL government Kimberly Fields instructed The Related Press final week the league plans to interact its Competitors Committee on expertise to take digital line-to-gain measurements subsequent season, however officers will proceed to identify the soccer.
“What this expertise can not do is take the place of the human component in figuring out the place ahead progress ends,” Fields stated. “There’ll all the time be a human official recognizing the ball. As soon as the ball is noticed, then the line-to-gain expertise really does the measurement itself.”
Goodell stated the league will proceed to work with companions to develop the expertise wanted to doubtlessly assist with recognizing the ball sooner or later.
Goodell stated he doesn’t consider the NFL’s insurance policies to advertise variety are in battle with the Trump administration’s efforts to ban variety, fairness and inclusion packages within the federal authorities.
The NFL has guidelines in place that require groups to interview numerous candidates for key teaching and entrance workplace positions as a part of the Rooney Rule that has been in place for greater than 20 years.
A number of NFL house owners contributed to Donald Trump’s marketing campaign or conservative causes through the 2024 election cycle.
“Our house owners take part in every little thing that we do,” Goodell stated. “Our insurance policies have been designed to be effectively inside the regulation, effectively inside the follow. There aren’t any quotas in our system. That is about opening that funnel and bringing one of the best expertise into the NFL.
“We additionally consider we’re doing the best factor for the NFL and our insurance policies are in line with the present administration in addition to the final administration.”
The NFL is aiming to have a group outdoors the USA.
“I do assume there’s potential that sometime we can have a global franchise. If we do, it might not shock me in any respect if a Tremendous Bowl follows and is performed there,” Goodell stated.
The NFL has made an enormous effort to develop its footprint worldwide with video games performed in England, Germany, Mexico and Brazil in recent times with a recreation scheduled for 2025 in Spain.
However as of now, the Tremendous Bowls have been performed in NFL stadiums and worldwide websites haven’t been thought of.
A Tremendous Bowl outdoors of North America would current challenges when it comes to time zones for the U.S.-based broadcasters.
Goodell stated there’s “a number of work to be achieved” earlier than the NFL probably expands its season to 18 regular-season video games.
The league hasn’t had formal negotiations with the gamers’ union about including a recreation to the season however Goodell stated he has had casual discussions with NFLPA government director Lloyd Howell Jr.
The NFL added a seventeenth recreation and minimize the preseason from 4 video games to 3 earlier than the 2021 season and Goodell has indicated an curiosity in ultimately including one other regular-season recreation.
“If we do, 18 and a couple of is likely to be a risk,” he stated. “We all know followers love soccer and so they need extra soccer. However we’ve to be extremely delicate and sensible with the steadiness and the way we cope with that.”
Goodell stated modifications the league has made when it comes to gear, and coaching within the offseason and preseason have helped cut back the variety of concussions and different accidents, making including an extra recreation extra palatable.
The league will take into account whether or not guidelines surrounding Tom Brady’s function as an analyst for Fox and a minority proprietor of the Las Vegas Raiders must be altered in any method.
Brady was formally accepted as a minority proprietor of the Raiders in Las Vegas and performed an enormous function through the group’s seek for a brand new coach and basic supervisor final month that led to the hiring of Pete Carroll and John Spytek.
The seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion can be in his first season as an analyst for Fox and is beneath guidelines that stop his entry to group services and manufacturing conferences with gamers and coaches.
Brady is beneath the identical tampering guidelines as every other member of the league and has checked in steadily to verify he isn’t violating any guidelines.
“I believe he’s severe that he separates these two and he doesn’t put the league or anybody ready of battle,” Goodell stated.
The NFL plans to look into the “severe” allegations that Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct with a number of therapeutic massage therapists.
9 therapeutic massage therapists from 5 spas and wellness facilities have instructed the Baltimore Banner that Tucker engaged in sexually inappropriate conduct throughout periods from 2012-16.
Tucker stated in an announcement final week that he has by no means obtained any complaints from a therapeutic massage therapist or been instructed he was not welcome at a spa or different place of job.
“They’re clearly severe points and he’s taking that critically as are we,” Goodell stated.
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