November 08, 2017

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 7 comments

Jones is the most powerful owner in the NFL. He was a major power broker in the L.A. relocations and has big sway among other owners.

Given how long it took Dallas to become a good team again (20 years of mediocrity!), I could see Jones never getting over Goodell's suspension of Elliott for an allegation that never led to an arrest or charge.

I know people don't like Jones, and don't really argue against that sentiment myself, but I'd love to see Goodell and his lousy leadership gone.

posted by rcade at 10:08 PM on November 08, 2017

I know people don't like Jones

This understates my position by a whole lot. I was disappointed when Kraft didn't sue because it felt like Brady got jobbed, but at least he never threatened to sue the other owners personally. Threatening to sue the league is business. Threatening to take other owners to court is the weird, vindictive act of a 6 year-old with access to too many drugs.

posted by yerfatma at 01:05 PM on November 09, 2017

Speaking of Robert Kraft, his name has been popping up in interesting ways this week.

posted by NoMich at 04:30 PM on November 09, 2017

Threatening to take other owners to court is the weird, vindictive act of a 6 year-old with access to too many drugs.

I expect that rich guys like NFL owners make threats to sue all the time to throw their weight around.

posted by rcade at 05:01 PM on November 09, 2017

but I'd love to see Goodell and his lousy leadership gone

And if he gets pushed out because of Jones, who is only worried about money and griping currently because of the Elliot situation, who will the NFL get to replace Goodell?

Think about it. If Jones and Kraft have enough power to influence or overrule every decision that the individual who supposedly is in place to ensure and enforce league integrity makes then why even bother having such a position. If the goal is only money then eliminate the ability of the league to fine or suspend for cheating or conduct detrimental to the league.

If the "situations" exposed by Goodell were not tied to Dallas or New England Jones and Kraft would be applauding the commissioner.

I expect that rich guys like NFL owners make threats to sue all the time to throw their weight around

NFL owners AND players who have been advised by their lawyers that they may be better off by challenging decisions legally rather than accepting responsibility for their actions. Owners are typically businessmen who are successful because they used any means possible to crush their opposition including litigation. This does not work for athletes.

posted by cixelsyd at 11:46 AM on November 10, 2017

who will the NFL get to replace Goodell?

1) They want someone who knows how to run a high risk / high profit operation and who demands total loyalty from those under his command. El Chapo Guzman.

or,

2) They want someone like Goodell who simply occupies space, has little or no personality, and doesn't say anything that seems to be of any substance or urgency. Norv Turner

or,

3) They want someone who has no idea what he's doing or talking about so the league can engage in a race to the bottom with the country at large. Mike Ditka

or,

4) They want a controversial Catholic who will stress that kneeling on Sunday is not such a bad thing once you work on it a bunch of times. Mel Gibson

posted by beaverboard at 01:34 PM on November 10, 2017

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