Does Roger Goodell care more about the fans, or their money?
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 8:34 AM EDT
32 comments
I started to reply to JasonB's links post that included this article about eventually putting an NFL franchise in Europe, but I started getting fired up about Roger Goodell's many other fan-unfriendly tendencies, got on a roll, and realized I had more than enough for a fanpost. I know I'm missing a few, but here are 5 examples of Goodell putting the lure of the dollar ahead of the good of the game...
- Why is Roger Goddell so obsessed with Europe? The Super Bowl in Europe thing was a joke, but putting a franchise there? Are you kidding? The logistics of it alone pretty much make it impossible. The West coast teams already complain about traveling to the East coast (just a 3 hour time difference, and still a valid complaint) for 1pm starts, and now you're going to ask them to travel to London (AN 8 HOUR DIFFERENCE) for the same thing? In case any of you don't know, there are a lot of people in Europe, and if there's more money to be had...
- Goodell ruined the draft. Well, I might be getting ahead of myself there since we haven't actually seen the Thursday night version yet. However, the draft weekend was probably my favorite weekend of the year, as it was for so many other diehard football fans. That's over. Goodell shamefully moved the first round to Thursday night for more advertising dollars. Fans on the East coast will have to stay up until after midnight to see the entire first round, West cost folks that work typical 9-5 jobs will miss the first few picks, and as for Goodell's beloved Europeans that follow the game - The draft would start at 1am over there. Why ruin a great thing? If there's money to be had...
- The exclusivity agreement the NFL has with DirecTV for the NFL Sunday Ticket (which would allow a fan to see all the games) is a joke. For starters, there are a great number of people that can't have a satellite dish, or don't want one bolted to their houses, or simply don't want to agree to DirecTV's ridiculous terms. But DirecTV pays the NFL an ASTRONOMICAL sum of money for that exclusivity, so if you're hoping to get your hands on the NFL Sunday Ticket without signing a horrible contract with DirecTV, you'll have to wait until at least 2014... but if there's money to be had...
- The NFL and other various cable providers can't seem to resolve their pissing contest and make the NFL Network available to its diehard fans. As a result, many cable providers don't carry the NFL Network, and ultimately it's the fans that suffer. It would take me a couple hours to outline the issues there, but to crudely sum it up, the NFL is trying to bleed as much money as they can from the cable providers for the rights to broadcast the NFL Network, and if there's money to be had...
- The 18 game schedule idea is incredibly dumb. With 2 extra games, you're pretty much turning the NFL into a league where the healthiest (not the best) team wins. Does he think the players will go for this? I'm 32 years old, and I'm not sure I could play 18 flag football games. And the thing here is... I see no evidence that the FANS want an extra 2 games, and that's basically Goodell's explanation for expanding the length of the season - the fans. An extra 2 weeks of football means an extra 2 weeks of advertising dollars, ticket sales, etc etc, and if there's more money to had...
- Bonus Goodell gripe - Is there any rhyme or reason to his disciplinary actions? Can we please get an explanation for each suspension? For example, why give Michael Vick a TWO game suspension? The guy went to jail for 2 years, comes back, and now he gets suspended for TWO games? Why the arbitrary number? I'd almost be OK with it if it were a full season, but TWO games? One theory I heard was that the Week 1 hype was all about the returns of Tom Brady and the debut of Brett Favre in Minnesota, Week 2 was all about the opening of the Cowboys' new stadium, and there was a void Week 3... so let's make Vick's Eagles debut occur Week 3. TWO game suspension! Not sure I buy that, but it certainly is an interesting theory.
Notice a trend here?
By trade, I'm a businessman, and I'm all for maximizing your profitability. But when you're putting the quality of your product in jeopardy to make a few extra bucks, that's where I draw the line. I am absolutely SCARED TO DEATH of the potential of a lockout. Make no mistake - Roger Goodell will only have the league's profitability in mind during those upcoming negotiations. He has ONE thing on his mind, and ONE thing only... and it isn't the fans.
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Money. But so what?
Without it, we’re not sitting own tomorrow night to watch the Eagles play the Redskins on Monday Night Football.
The DirecTV exclusivity gripe is a bit silly as well. Why not make the same argument about ESPN on Monday Night Football? After all, there’s lots of people that don’t want to order cable, or can’t afford it. The DirecTV exclusivity is based on the fact that the TV contracts with CBS and FOX give them signoff on any Sunday Ticket-like program. I can’t see them signing off on expanding it to cable (since they want to protect their local channels, which get hurt by Sunday Ticket)
by wildcatlh on Oct 25, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Without it, we’re not sitting own tomorrow night to watch the Eagles play the Redskins on Monday Night Football.
I think we both know that’s nonsense.
The DirecTV exclusivity gripe is a bit silly as well. Why not make the same argument about ESPN on Monday Night Football? After all, there’s lots of people that don’t want to order cable, or can’t afford it.
This isn’t 1982. Everybody has basic cable.
The DirecTV exclusivity is based on the fact that the TV contracts with CBS and FOX give them signoff on any Sunday Ticket-like program. I can’t see them signing off on expanding it to cable (since they want to protect their local channels, which get hurt by Sunday Ticket)
Nope. When you watch the NFL Sunday Ticket, you’re still watching FOX and CBS broadcasts, so the same advertisements still run as if you were watching the local feed, and therefore there’s little reason for FOX’s and CBS’ sponsors to pay less for their ads on those networks, which is all FOX and Cbs really cares about anyway. Also, I could be wrong on this, but I don’t think they run any local commercials during NFL games on FOX and CBS, and if they did, there’s a pretty good chance the local viewer will be watching the local game anyway. So what’s the difference?
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They run lots of local commercials.
It’s the same reason that the Phillies games are blacked out if you have the MLB Extra Innings package in Philly, or that the Sixers games are blacked out on the NBA package, or that the Flyers games are blacked out on the NHL package.
Without Sunday Ticket, regardless of what you want to watch, you’re watching the local channel — upping their local ratings, which increases their ad buys, increases the lead-in to 60 Minutes/Simpsons, etc. With Sunday Ticket, they don’t get those continuing viewers.
As for “everybody has basic cable”, not only is that not true, but in the current days of HDTV, there are lots of people I know who have dropped cable altogether and just get the local HD broadcasts.
by wildcatlh on Oct 25, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, fine… so black out the local game on the Sunday Ticket. Whatever… Love how these meaningless little side arguments get carried away, and let’s just drop the ESPN debate because that’s even close to being the same thing here and I’m a little disappointed in myself for even addressing it. The bottom line is… The NFL signed an exclusive agreement with a horrible cable provider that millions of people can’t get, even if they’re willing to bend over and accept said provider’s awful terms. It’s the only sport that doesn’t offer it to its mass audience, and it’s a complete disservice to the fans, plain and simple.
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would a fan argue with this, by the way? You enjoy not having options?
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The DirectTV deal may be an anti-trust issue
I don’t pretend to understand it well, but TMQ did a couple of pieces on it. I agree 100% about the draft change, the extended season, and especially European expansion. We have perect symmetry right now with 32 teams playing 16 games. Also, say you can possibly try to justify the logistical quagmire of a Trans-Atlantic season, and the very real lack of fan interest in the NFL (especially when it bumps up against the EPL schedule) As another poster on BBV brought up, just how freakin’ diluted are we trying to make this product? Who right now is available to QB an expansion team? J.P. Losman? Brooks Bollinger? Give me a break.
Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!
by bigbluethruandthru on Oct 25, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I miss Paul Tagliabue.
RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.
by Imp on Oct 25, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can we rise Pete Rozell from the dead
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 26, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don't need a zombie commish
We already know a zombie owner fails. See Davis, Al.
RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.
by Imp on Oct 26, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he has done some good and some bad things
GOOD:
His discipline for players that break the law(maybe a little to harsh some times but you never hear about how the NFL is “a league of thugs”)
Shortening the time for picks(this made the draft much more watchable)
BAD:
All this expanding the game crap(football just is not the kind of sport that can easily spread through out the world)
the lack of urgency in the new CBA
Let's get it.
by homestar2281 on Oct 25, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The NBA is a league of thugs
they look ridiculous
"What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."- Sheldon Brown on his pounding of Reggie Bush in the '06 Playoffs
by jalarsen1 on Oct 25, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One reason why I don't like the NBA, but like College much more
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 26, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he is a business man and that his is job
but i agree you have to put the fans first…the nfl makes so much money as it is even in this economy.
i would not mind however and extra 2 games or somehow lengthening the nfl season
Weapon X eats babies for breakfast.
by immynimmy on Oct 25, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is my favorite line to use when people complain about companies trying to make money:
Exercise your rights as a consumer and stop giving them your money if it’s that big of a deal to you.
I am the people's troll :3™
by yomjoseki on Oct 25, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Can’t do that, but I’ll do the next best thing… bitch about it.
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stupid Roger...
As far as I’m concerned, we didn’t kick the hell out of King George and Adolph Hitler so we could send them football. The NFL has been overexpanded enough without giving the chardonnay swishing pantywaist french a franchise.
"Right now Winston Justice is the guy...until that person gets back out there"
by EvilBanner on Oct 25, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah man! How about a franchise here in Africa! The Capetown Criminals perhaps? That would be awesome. Can’t imagine what kind of revenue it would generate for mr (God)dell when you get American fans murdered while watching a game here. We’re building like 7 brand new stadiums for the WC. 7 Franchises here?
It was apparently time for Africa to get the WC, the Olympics might be next (after South America got it). So how ’bout that NFL here! LOL!
(I apologize if you perceive and gets pissed off by a lot of negativity on my part. I am negative. My family has recently been a victim of the great crime level here with 80 murders per day. I should probably be happy that I’ve only had one family member murdered with a hammer and another kidnapped at gunpoint. And its not like they were in the bad areas. Somebody sponsor me for a greencard? Please?! Now would be a good time…)
Okay so maybe it's time to move on. Hopefully it'll be moving on to winning a Championship!
by LeonSA on Oct 25, 2009 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought things were a little calmer over there. Americans aren’t very worldly. Just out of curiousity, what does it take to sponsor a green card?
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way. Things are worse than ever, its really depressing.
I’m not quite sure, but I think you, as an employer, would have to vouch for the immigrating employee. I’ve got a kind of 5 year plan set-up where I’ll be doing my Masters degree for two more years and then hopefully get a Visa to work some entry-level job in business in the States for about three years. Hopefully in those three years I’ll find someone to sponsor me and then I want to do a MBA, get citizenship, and make a contribution to a country that I actually like being in and feel safe in. Lol, well there you go.
Okay so maybe it's time to move on. Hopefully it'll be moving on to winning a Championship!
by LeonSA on Oct 25, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oy… sorry bud. Sometimes you just take for granted what you have. Best of luck.
by Bye, Dawk :( on Oct 25, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good luck with all of that…I hope things calm down. stay safe
by eagleyosh on Oct 25, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't know
Living in Philly was that rough.
Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK
by HudBaby on Oct 27, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The most frustrating thing about Goodell is his 'global plan' for football
I don’t understand this at all. Football is America’s game; why try to force it on to other cultures? If other parts of the world like the sport – get this – they’ll start their own leagues. Look at how baseball spread throughout the world. Basketball is now the second-most popular sport globally; does Goodell really believe the MLB and NBA focused on globalizing their product?
No. They focused on making the brand sellable to their audience (America) and it got popular enough here to where it eventually caught on elsewhere.
He’s done a good job with the handling of players, but the international football bullcrap really has got to stop.
The 18-game schedule is immensely stupid too, by the way. It’s just not as dumb as a Super Bowl in London.
by cwel87 on Oct 26, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Uh, I’m not a rocket surgeon, but my guess is because the NFL wouldn’t be making any money if other leagues popped up internationally, and it’s his job to work in the best interest of the league, not in the best interest of the sport or the best interest of the fans.
I am the people's troll :3™
by yomjoseki on Oct 26, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm happy you aren't a rocket surgeon
That would probably be a waste of tax dollars.
And no, the NFL wouldn’t make money from other leagues. Does that stop the Chinese from following the NBA? The Japanese or Dominicans from following MLB?
If people like the sport, people will flock to the league that gives the highest quality reflection of that sport, especially in this technological age.
by cwel87 on Oct 26, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe
I think the concern of Goodell is that people like to cheer for their hometown heroes. It’s why most of the eagles fans here are from Philly, and most giants fans are from NY. Even if the Raider’s suck, their fans still watch them. The fear may be that the Chinese would rather watch the Bejing football team and their fellow countrymen rather than a bunch of people half a world away, regardless of the skills of the respective teams. Whether or not that’s a valid concern, I’m not really sure.
by eagleyosh on Oct 26, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Posted a link to this over at BTSC the poll results are about the same
"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu
by WVPiratesfan on Oct 26, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Roger was a lawyer – money – no question!
by fitzy first on Oct 28, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The NFL and other various cable providers can’t seem to resolve their pissing contest and make the NFL Network available to its diehard fans.
This is still something i cant figure out. Why cant something be worked out with cable
Brent Celek is the man
by 700 Level on Oct 28, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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