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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE DAILY DEBATE
Will Roger Goodell remain as the commissioner for the NFL?
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"YES"
Before thinking if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be removed from his throne, you must remember what the NFL is really all about. Call it what you will, but the most profitable sports league in the world is all about revenue. Revenue is the NFLs blonde-haired, blue-eyed daughter on prom night, and off-the-field happenings are nothing but the ugly stepchild at best. The league brought in $10 billion in 2013 and is shooting for $16.1 billion by 2018, both on track with Goodell's goal of $25 million by 2025. With money like that, the NFL can do no evil. The league has a massive revenue streamline from its supporters, which hasn't slowed in the wake of the league's handling of domes tic violence cases.
A recent poll by NBC News showed that fans — the league's largest source of revenue — will continue to watch their teams every Sunday.
Though 57 percent of "football fans" disapprove of the NFLs handling of domestic violence, 86 percent said they wouldn't change the amount of football they watch, while 11 percent said they were less likely to watch. If those 11 percent keep their word and refrain from America's most significant sport, that's pocket change for the NFL.
Only 29 percent of fans believe Goodell should be forced to resign.It's likely that less than 29 percent of the league's 32 owners would agree with that.Simply put: Not enough people who are substantial to the league's revenue stream are calling for Goodell's head, and maybe for good reason.
tional development, primarily in London. He also ended the referee's labor dispute in 2012 when it could go on no longer, and he agreed to a record-breaking 10-year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL Players
He's addressed player health and safety, medical needs and pensions of retired players, revenue sharing, stadium construction and, most recently, a new performance enhancing drug policy, as well as interna-
The owners are satisfied, and that's what matters. They are satisfied with the leverage they were given in the new CBA, and with the job Goodell is doing, evident in his salary over the past two seasons. Before the 2011 player lockout, Goodell's salary averaged $11 million per season. Over the past two years after the new CBA, he's made $36.5 million per year. The NFL is not a judicial system, and Goodell is not a judge. The NFL is a business and Goodell is a commissioner.
Association in 2011.
Goodell should not be applauded for how he has handled the domestic violence cases,but it's time we move on. Goodell's skills and understanding of the workings of the NFL have led the league to tremendous growth and have set a precedent for professional sports leagues
Edited by Alyssa Scott
The past month has been a messy one for the NFL as
"NO"
countless cases of domestic violence have made recent headlines across the country. Such scandals involving Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy, Jonathan Dwyer and Ray McDonald have caused coaches and fans alike to question the personal behavior policy of the NFL and, ultimately, the man in charge
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made several statements regarding these issues, but they are all starting to
sound the same. "Mistakes happen," "I'm sorry," and "I got it wrong" have been repeated over and over, but many feel that, in this case, "I'm sorry" just isn't good enough. And they're right.
enough. And they're right.
As the commissioner of the NFL, it is Goodell's responsibility to handle misconduct cases and determine appropriate consequences for coaches and players. But who gets to determine appropriate consequences for Goodell after being caught in the act and then openly admitting his wrongs? It's not small mistakes we're talking about either. It is a series of several big mistakes that, if not handled properly, could ruin the reputation of the NFL around the world.
If it was a coach, player, or employee of the NFL in question, would a, "I've made a mistake, I'm sorry, I'll get it right next time" be good
some heavy consequences to those who have been brought under the spotlight, even those who haven't been officially convicted. If the NFL holds its players accountable, then keeping Goodell on after his multiple errors in judgment would be...hypocritical.
Goodell is on the hot seat and has been put under a lot of pressure to resign as commissioner. It is clear that something needs to drastically change in the NFL before the organization's reputation is tarnished. There's a lot of work to be done. But is Goodell the right person for the job? He has created quite a mess for the league, but he may not be the right person to clean it up.
enough for Goodell? No. So then why should he get to use those exact same phrases to excuse his own behaviors? Does he expect that we will be satisfied with a simple apology? The NFL has handed out
Which Kansas football player has been the most disappointing so far this season?
It's time for someone new to come in and try to put things back together. The NFL needs a clean slate, and the only way to achieve that is with a new man in charge. The reputation of the league is on the brink of disaster, and Goodell just isn't the right person to fix it. He's lost too much respect from his fans and his teams to make it right on his own. He can certainly contribute, but he can't be the number one guy anymore.
DAILY DEBATE RESULTS: SEPT. 24, 2014
NICK HARWELL: 62.5%
JIMMAY MUNDINE: 37.5%
VOTE FOR THE WRITER WITH THE MOST CONVINCING ARGUMENT AT KANSAN.COM
— Edited by Logan Schlossberg
AL West champ Angels hold off playoff-hopeful A's
ASSOCIATED PRESS
OAKLAND, Calif. - Howie Kendrick doubled and drove in three runs, and the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels held off the playoff-hopeful Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Angels' Luis Jimenez, center, is high-fived after scoring on a sacrifice fly from Albert Pujols (5) during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday in Oakland, Calif.
The A's dropped a half-game back of Kansas City for the top AL wild card with the Royals set to play a night game at Cleveland. Seattle began the day three games behind for the second wild-card spot.
Los Angeles (98-61) maintained its lead over Baltimore (95-63) for the best record in baseball and home-field advantage for the AL playoffs.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Angels beat their Northern California rival for the seventh time in the last eight meetings to capture the season series 10-9 for the first time in four years. The Angels won at the Coliseum for just the third time in nine games.
ed pitching performances and devoid of clutch hitting.
Angels star Mike Trout left the game before the top of the fifth with a stomach illness. This stretch for Oakland can be best defined as one of wast-
The A's rallied with four runs in the seventh, including Josh Reddick's two-run double and an RBI triple by Nick Punto. Adam Dunn struck out as a pinch-hitter to end the inning with runners on first and second.
Trout dropped a fly ball in center field for a three-base error in the fourth, putting Josh Donaldson on third leading off the inning. Jonny Gomes popped out and Derek Norris flied out to right, with Kole Calhoun making a perfect throw home to get Donaldson for a double play.
Crew chief Gerry Davis sent the play to review to determine whether catcher Chris Iannetta had blocked the plate. The call was upheld in 3 minutes, 30 seconds, sending the crowd into a booing frenzy.
Hector Santiago (6-9) worked 5 1-3 innings for his first outing longer than two innings in three starts. He allowed three hits, struck out three and walked two.
Huston Street, the seventh
Los Angeles pitcher, finished for his 17th save with the Angels and 41st overall.
As starter Jon Lester (16-11) struck out seven in seven innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He went winless in three starts against the Angels this year.
The A's wrapped up their home schedule and packed to be away four to 10 days and for varying climates. They could have to play a wild-card game at Kansas City on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Jered Weaver deemed himself ready for
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: OF Josh Hamilton had a recovery day as he deals with upper body pain that has sidelined him 19 of the last 20 games. ... 3B David Freese sat out for a second straight day with tightness in his upper back. ... RHP Matt Shoemaker played catch for the third straight day as he works back from a strained left oblique but still needs to throw off a mound. There is no timetable for when that might happen. "He's got his arm activated, that's good," manager Mike Scioscia said.
Athletics: C Norris returned behind the plate after being used as the DH the previous two games as he nursed a troublesome shoulder.
Friday's start at Seattle after spending two days with the flu that he caught from his son. Weaver has kept food down since Tuesday. "I'll be fine for Friday," the 18-game winner said. He will likely play catch during Thursday's off day. "He's been light on bullpens
anyway," Scioscia said. "You want to make sure he gets hydrated and rebounds."
Athletics: RHP Jason Hammel (2-6, 4.52 ERA) pitches the opener of a season-ending four-game series at Texas after rejoining the club Monday following paternity leave.
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