Roger Goodell talks about TV ratings, Las Vegas and other NFL issues
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference after the fall owners' meetings concluded in Houston on Wednesday.
Among the things he said:
TV Ratings
“I don’t think there is a single reason for it. We look at all those factors. Everyone has theories. … we also know that two primetime games that saw our most dramatic decrease went straight up against two very significant debates. Another one of our primetime games was on Thursday night on NFL Network, as opposed to a network broadcast, which will always get a lower rating. There are a lot of factors to be considered. We don’t make excuses. We try to look at what’s causing it and make changes.
Sagging NFL TV ratings leave owners scrambling for answers
“We don’t think we’ve lost viewers. When you look at ratings, you have to look a little deeper than that. It’s viewers, but also how long they’re engaging for. A lot of times, people will leave a game for whatever reason.”
Whether he thinks the players' anthem protest has affected ratings
"We don't think that's a factor and neither do our network partners."
Las Vegas Raiders presentation
“It was informative, it was factual … There’s still a great deal of information that we need to gather with respect to the circumstances we see in Las Vegas in the opportunities and also the challenges. Those are the things we’ll look at through the committee and report back to them maybe as early as December, but more likely later than that.”
"There is still a great deal of information we have to gather."
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Raiders
“We would love to have the Raiders stay in Oakland. We think that’s a positive thing. But we’ve been clear the last couple of years that it requires long-term resolution to their stadium. We still don’t have that solution. Our staff is working with the mayor and officials in the Oakland area to see if there are alternatives out there, but we don’t have one yet.”
Collective Bargaining Agreement
“The players’ perspective, we think it’s working incredibly well. And from the owner’s standpoint, it’s working incredibly well. And from the fans’ standpoint, we think it’s working incredibly well. We’re seeing what we structured five years ago working very well for all parties. It’s leading to a safer game. We think it’s leading to more long-term investments in the communities and stadiums … and it has obviously led to increases in compensation.”
Gambling
“There clearly has been a society shift as far as how people view gambling. … We are still very much opposed to legalized gambling on sports. We think that has an impact on the integrity of our game.”
Celebrations
“I don’t think there’s been a year where we don’t look at this issue. … We do believe that our players are role models and others look at that at the youth level, so that’s important for us to hold that standard up and it’s part of being a professional.”
Perceived decrease of offensive line play
“I don’t see that. We see the importance of when you have injuries or inconsistency on the offensive line, and when one person is missing, that’s a critical thing. That group needs to gel.”
On practice time re: CBA
“I think that’s something that will be discussed in the context of the collective bargaining agreement. That undoubtedly will come up.”
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