NFL image problem in a name: Roger Goodell
As the NFL prepares for another season, most fans are excited about camps opening, Fantasy Football, and if their team can win a Super Bowl. But in 2016, if they read only a little closely, they’ll also see a league in turmoil; issues from brain injuries to domestic violence, cities facing loss of teams, marijuana legality, and players comfortable in speaking against the league. Even with record revenues, TV ratings, and unrivaled popularly, Roger Goodell is in the crosshairs, and he’s earned every scrutiny.
Be quick to wipe away the tears, as the NFL isn’t deserving.
Not even in a little bit.
The National Football League is deserving of a lot of things. They own a day do the week, and revenue is the envy of the other professional North American leagues. Their championship is a national holiday, and by all indications, their offseason is in name only; even in July, the NFL makes news.
Despite the rosy proclamations, all isn’t well in Goodell Land. Players may not be in revolt, but their opinion runs counter to a league approved narrative that is disillusional.
If money is the only metric, then yes, all is well. But the financial health of the owners is belied by the malignancies that are overwhelmingly hard to ignore.
This week alone, the league has hired Joe Lockhart to begin the process of repairing an image problem plaguing the commissioner and the league. If you don’t recognize the name, your recognize the name of his former boss, Bill Clinton.
Lockhart managed to control the narrative of a president then under siege.
He’ll do the same now.
AROUND COVER32
Fantasy Football: Five bargain QB/WR pairs for 2016
NFL: Ranking the top five interpersonal rivalries
2016 Preview: Comeback player of the year candidates
Twitter Tuesday: Torrey Smith speaks out for public breastfeeding
Todd Gurley Offers Advice: What the star running back offered to a Goergia player
Redskins Trademarks: Why Washington has every right to own their logos and name
For fans, I’d encourage the reading of two pieces published just this week:
MMQB – 10 Years of the commissioner from a players point of view
MMQB – Remaking the image of Roger Goodell
Bottom line, the National Football League has a public relations problem, an issue with its shiny image.
Even from my steamy desk in Arizona, this wasn’t hard to see coming. I’m just wondering what took so long.
Don’t expect the issues to be solved with a few Op-Ed’s, and interviews on Sunday morning news shows. Roger Goodell is steeped in issues of his own making, and an arrogance that has only perpetuated the problems.
They won’t go away easily or soon.
NFL players have laid an early marker, and come the next round of the CBA, this issue with the league will be front and center, and Goodell won’t own the upper hand.
He’ll be dealing from deck stacked against him, and that is likely a good thing.
The problem with the National Football League is visible both on and off the fiend. From an over complication of how a football is caught, to Deflategate. From issues domestic violence to brain injuries, have no misunderstanding; Roger Goodell is the author of this mess.Fortunately for the league, someone was brought in to to clean up the mess.
Be grateful it isn’t Goodell himself.
The post NFL image problem in a name: Roger Goodell appeared first on Cover32.
