Ask the Commissioner
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM ETCommissioner Roger Goodell
24 comments
Commissioner Roger Goodell joined us on Wednesday, Nov. 5, to respond to questions from fans.
At the midpoint of the 2008 season and on the eve of the first NFL Network Thursday Night Football game, there was a lot to talk about.
Read what he had to say about a number of pressing issues and respond to any answers that were points of interest to you.
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Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
02:00 PM
It's good to be back with you. I hope you have enjoyed the first half of our season. It has been a great nine weeks of football so far and it should be a exciting race to the playoffs.
Please feel free to respond to any of the answers below that are points of interest to you. I look forward to hearing what's on your minds.
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Zennie Abraham, Oakland, CA
01:59 PM ET
Hi Commissioner, I'd like to know your thoughts on the election of Barack Obama as President? Thanks!Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
National elections are always exciting for me. I am glad we have elected a new president. It's time for us all to come together. President-elect Obama is inspirational and I look forward to supporting him as he begins his new term. -
Rob Carter, Chehalis WA
02:01 PM ET
Now that the NFL is streaming Sunday Night Football on the internet, are future plans being considered to expand streaming media options? Thanks for taking my question. Rob CarterCommissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Rob, we are experimenting with streaming our NBC games and it has been a positive learning experience. While we want to use technology to make our games more available, we must be certain not to impact negatively on our current broadcast partners so that we can continue to make the games available to the broadest possible audience on free television. -
John, Denver
02:04 PM ET
What do you plan to do about the poor officiating that has plagued the NFL all season long?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
We have outstanding officials and we are proud of the work that they do. That being said, officiating is imperfect. We always work to improve and make officiating more consistant. This includes evaluating every official on every play and new training techniques to prepare them to officiate a very difficult game. We require our officials to meet very high standards. -
Richard Sandomir, New York
02:07 PM ET
If the NFL Network is not available on Time Warner in Manhattan, how do you watch it at home? Did you get RCN or do you have a dish in your building?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
I am fortunate to have DirecTV at home so I can watch NFL Network and our Sunday Ticket. In addition, I have the new Verizon FiOS service which is terrific. I really enjoy watching the NFL Network and I am looking forward to more of our fans having an opportunity to see it. -
Karl Huber, Vienna
02:10 PM ET
Mr. Goodell, is it just a fantastic dream or a realistic chance for an European city to be home of a NFL franchise?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Our regular season games in London have been met with incredible enthusiasm. Our fans in the UK continue to support us and have an interest in seeing more NFL football. I believe it's realistic as the fan base grows that it's possible there could be a franchise in London someday. -
James, Pittsburgh
02:13 PM ET
Mr. Goodell, Has any further consideration been given to changing the current playoff system so that division winners are not guaranteed homefield advantage if a wild card team has a better overall record? What about the teams aligned in one bracket based on record and tie breakers?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
James, we just considered this with the membership last year. There is not a strong consensus to make any changes to our current format. Clubs felt it was best to reward the fans of division winners with a home playoff game. -
Michael Bidwell, Chattanooga, TN
02:15 PM ET
I was just wondering what the current status is with the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement? Could there be a possibility of a strike within the next few years? Quick question....What was your favorite NFL team when you were a kid? By the way, you are doing a fantastic job, and i wish you the best.Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
This past May, the owners exercised an option to not to extend the CBA beyond the 2010 season. I expect negotiations will begin over the next year on a variety of issues. The good news for you as a fan is there is no risk of a work stoppage before 2011. I am hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement that will be fair to both the owners and the players and that will be good for the fans.
I was a Baltimore Colts fan initially and then became a Redskins fan. Now I'm a fan of all 32 teams! Thanks for your support. -
Jeff, Wisconsin
02:19 PM ET
Why is it taking so long to negotiate a deal between cable TV and the NFL station? Is it in the for seeable future?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Jeff, this is frustrating to me also. We have deals with over 250 cable operators, both satellite carriers and both telephone providers. We believe the NFL Network should be available to the broadest possible audience. It's high quality and popular programming. We know fans want to see more of it and we are working to negotiate broader distribution with the top three cable operators. Just recently the FCC ruled that there is discrimination against the NFL Network and other independent programmers by some of the large cable operators. Hopefully this will allow us a level playing field to negotiate what consumers really want rather than what cable operators determine. -
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02:22 PM ET
moderators--you are not allowing the interesting questions to be asked!!!!Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
What's your question? -
Nate, Tulsa, ok
02:23 PM ET
Why are players being fined for good clean big hits?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
They are not being fined for hits that are permissible within our rules. Each year we evaluate techniques and hits that coaches and players determine put players at unnecessary risk for injury. We have always disciplined the players when they violate the rules. -
Patrick, Texas
02:26 PM ET
Hi, Roger. Will the NFL consider changing the challenge format to allow for more challenges near the two minute mark of halfs when teams are likely to be out of timeouts. For instance, if a team has no timeouts left and desires to challenge a play the coach would have the option of challenging at the risk of a 15 yard penalty as he would have no timeouts to risk.Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
We annually review instant replay to determine whether we should expand the scope of plays that can be reviewed. This has included allowing additional challenges. Additional challenges would undoubtably result in a longer game and more disruption to the game and the clubs did not feel it was necesary. -
George Festin Lorenzo, Flushing, NY
02:30 PM ET
Do you feel that fantasy football has positively impacted the popularity of the NFL?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Fantasy football has given fans another way to enjoy NFL football. We focus on giving our fans more opportunities to engage with the game and it is clear by the growing numbers playing fantasy football that this is a popular activity. -
Randy Binyon, Corpus Christi,Texas
02:31 PM ET
Ive have heard that the nfl is adding 1 or 2 games to the 16 game schedule .When or is this going to take place?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
We currently play 20 games, 16 regular season and four preseason games. I consistently hear from fans that they don't believe the quality of the preseason is up to NFL standards. Accordingly, one alternative would be to convert up to two preseason games into regular season games. We are doing a lot of analysis.
Do you as fans agree that you want less preseason and more regular season games? -
Jason Light, Arkansas
02:34 PM ET
Do you think we will ever have some kind of salary cap on the rookie, like the NBA? So that the players that prove themselves over the years would get the money that they deserves. Thanks-JCommissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
This has worked effectively in the NBA and we believe it could work effectively in the NFL. I think we all would agree that the players should be rewarded when they perform on the NFL field and they should get the bulk of the money in the salary cap structure. -
Rob Amor, Birmingham, England
02:35 PM ET
Hi Roger, As a Steelers fan over in England, I’d love to know how the selection process works in regards to the International series…are the teams simply chosen by the NFL, or do they have a say in whether or not they’d like to participate? Also, I know that there are is a game over here for the next couple of years, but is there scope for a game to be played over in England EVERY year? Yours, RobCommissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
All teams are required to participate one time over a limited number of years. We're very sensitive to taking away a home game from the fans in that community so we would not ask a team to lose more than one home game over a number of years. We consider a lot of factors in selecting the teams including the interest of fans in a given market. Would you like to see the Steelers in England? -
John, Las Vegas
02:38 PM ET
What is the "typical" day like for the commissioner of the NFL?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
That's the great thing about this job - there is no "typical" day. I enjoy the variety of issues and particularly hearing from the fans. -
JR, Joliet IL.
02:39 PM ET
What is your view when teams use there timeouts under 1 min. game time in order to freeze the other teams kicker?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
We considered this with the competition committee a couple of years ago. It appears it has backfired on a few teams over the last few seasons. I'm not certain it really has an impact on NFL kickers but we'll continue to monitor it. -
Omar, New Orleans
02:41 PM ET
Mr. Goodell Will the NFL change anything in the coming years with regards to the Pro Bowl? It increasingly seems very useless as far as being truly competitiveCommissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Omar, this is a very good question. We've been evaluating how we can make the Pro Bowl more exciting for the fans. I recently spoke to our Player Advisory Council regarding this issue. One of the ideas, which I would be interested in your reaction, would be to play the game at the site of the Super Bowl the weekend prior to the Super Bowl. We think this would bring a lot more attention to our great players and the Pro Bowl event. -
Randy, Pittsburgh, PA
02:44 PM ET
I would like to know when the NFL is going to step up and finally make the officials available to the media. The should be held accountable just as everyone else. I also feel that the coaches and players should be allowed to voice thier opinion about the officiating in a game without fear of repercusions. It should be a full time job. They are paid quite a bit of money for part time. As well the should be thier own entity and not a part of the NFL for a lack of better words. I would like to know your feelings on these topics and there may be any change in the forseeable future. Thank You.Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
They are available to the media through a pool reporter system after each game. In addition, we make our head of officiating available to answer questions on a regular basis in addition to appearing on NFL Network and NFL.com. The officials are extremely dedicated but we don't believe it would improve officiating by making them full-time. We encourage the players and coaches to voice their concerns about the officiating or a particular call directly to us. -
Brad Underwood, Peoria, IL
02:46 PM ET
What is the status on Adam Jones?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Adam has agreed to evaluation by professionals and is following their guidance. He is serving an indefinite suspension until he is better prepared to be able to manage the responsibilities of playing in the NFL. -
Gramps D, Surrey, BC, Canada
02:48 PM ET
Are there any plans to expand the NFL beyond the current 32 teams? If so, are there any particular cities or states that are potential expansion team targets?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
We have no plans for expansion right now. We know there continues to be interest from cities and fans. We hope to reach them through our various media outlets. -
James, Florida
02:49 PM ET
When does the commish get to take a vacation?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
Never. I love it too much. -
John, West Palm Beach, FL
02:51 PM ET
What are your thoughts on the PSL's that the Jets, Giants and Cowboys have sold and their impact on long-time season ticket holders?Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
PSLs have been used effectively in a variety of markets to help finance stadiums. After the initial reaction, fans have recognized the value of a PSL. The Jets, the Giants and the Cowboys have designed PSL programs tailored to their fans in hopes of encouraging fans to continue to attend games in great new facilities. -
James , Waco TX
02:55 PM ET
What do you think about this crazy season now that we are at Midpoint.Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFL.com
James, this season has been unpredictable and highly entertaining. The second half of the season should be very competitive. It will be intriguing to determine which teams develop momentum going into the playoffs. The outstanding performances by both the teams and individuals are great for our fans. We hope we can exceed your expectations.
This is a good time to finish for today. I appreciate your questions. We started with more than 1,000 questions and I'm sorry I can't get to all of them. It is particularly interesting for me to hear what's on the minds of our fans. I look forward to seeing some of your reactions to those issues we discussed today. We appreciate your support!! We'll do it again soon.
