Yesterday, the NFL owners meetings commenced in New York City with a plethora of topics on the agenda. The issues facing the NFL Plus app, Restructuring of Roger Goodell’s contract, Daniel Snyder’s future with the league, and the settlement between the NFL and the city of St. Louis on the $790 million dollar tab the Rams owe after they relocated to Los Angeles.
NFL Owners Meeting Started With App Discussion
With regards to the NFL Plus app, it’s a dumpster fire. For $4.99 a month or $9.99 for access to the ALL-22 one can have unlimited access to the NFL viewer experience. The only issue with the app is it doesn’t work. The NFL owners discussed the litany of complaints during the meetings. In the discussion they touched upon out of market games, the Sunday Ticket package, and how to access the app on smart devices, primarily televisions.
Many people see error codes such as “403 Forbidden” which basically means good luck trying to use the app anytime soon. People have complained about this since the inception of the app in July. Since many people have cut the cord and use apps for their viewing experience, the NFL would like to have sole access for those viewers for watching their favorite teams play.
Goodell’s Contract, Jerry Jones & Robert Kraft Debacle
The NFL owners vote 31-1 in favor of the compensation committee to open contract negotiations with Commissioner Roger Goodell. With an almost unanimous vote, Jerry Jones was the lone owner to vote against it. In a discussion that was unfolding between the owners behind closed doors nobody outside knows exactly what was said.
Reportedly, Jones told Kraft “Don’t f— with me”.
Kraft replied “Excuse me?”
Jones then rebuttal Kraft, this time with less foul language “Don’t mess with me.”
Many people would think that Kraft would vote against extending Goodell’s contract due to the sanctions he imposed on the Patriots after the Deflategate Scandal. Sadly, as Patriots fans would hope, Kraft is still on good terms with the commissioner. Goodell was actually one of the guests in attendance for Kraft’s wedding last week.
Jones on the other has had outstanding, dare I say beef, with the NFL and Goodell for the better part of a decade now.. Jones’ contempt at the meetings may stem from him not being on the NFL’s compensation committee. Jones, who may be the most influential owner in the league, seems to have a slight problem stemming from his hubris as an owner. As the owner of “America’s Team” some of Jones’ disdain could come from being a big market owner and having his peers not see him as one.
After the 2010 NFL season the Cowboys were fined ten million dollars for overspending during the prior season. Even though the NFL didi have a season with no salary cap due to the end of the CBA,, the Cowboys broke an unbroken rule. Eventually Jones was forced to pay five million over the course of two years to the league. The Washington Commanders, then going by a former name, were forced to pay 36 million total over two years for their penalties due to overspending.
Lastly, Jones was vocal about Commissioner Goodell on his handling of Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension in 2017 for alleged domestic violence. Jones was allegedly told by Goodell that Elliot would not be suspended but eventually was suspended for six games. Jones stated that it was “an unforgivable breach of trust”.
This is all why Jones feels so strongly against giving Goodell an extension.
Daniel Snyder
As NFL owners meet this week they will be voting on whether or not to remove Daniel Snyder as owner of the Washington Commanders due to the vile allegations of sexual misconduct. Snyder, who has hired private investigators to collect dirt on Goodell and the other NFL owners, has been backed into a corner by the league. With pressure from his fan base and many other influential figures around the league to sell, Snyder has been defiant.
Jim Irsay, Owner of the Colts, touched upon the situation when speaking to the media after yesterday’s proceedings.
“I believe there is merit to removing him as owner of the [Commanders], There’s consideration that he should be removed.”
Irsay is the only owner to speak out in favor of the removal of Snyder, which would require 24 of the 32 owners to vote in favor of, and is the most unlikely. Although Irsay is doing the right thing he has skeletons in the closet himself.
Irsay was arrested in 2014 and I will link the article that touches upon his shady past himself.
Nevertheless, the NFL owners are likely scared into voting out Snyder because now it opens the doors for paranoia. Owners could be swayed to vote against the immediate removal due to their fear of others voting them out due to their feelings towards them. Although that is an irrational fear, it is more likely Snyder will be forced to sell the team through a lawsuit other than the vote.
St. Louis vs. The NFL
As the NFL wants Rams owner Stan Kronke to foot the bill, he is not fully responsible. In 2015, the Chargers and Raiders sent information to the city of St. Louis, charged the Rams for not being within the league’s bylaws for relocations. Most likely it will not be Kronke paying the entire tab as most likely the the entire league, all owners, will chip in for the cost. So far each NFL has kicked in 7.5 million for the relocation.