More Popular Than Ever, The NFL Still Has Big Problems
By Maddy Perkins
There’s no arguing that the National Football League is a booming brand. However, the league is facing a number of problems as another season kicks off. Recent news has put negative spotlight on the league for its handling of crime after commissioner Roger Goodell released a public apology for his decision regarding the Ray Rice domestic abuse case.
The Baltimore Ravens running back was suspended for just two games after a brutal video was released of Rice dragging his unconscious fiancee (now wife) out of an elevator. Many critics of the punishment thought it seemed insufficient compared to the season-long suspension Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon received for using marijuana.
In a lengthy statement sent to team owners, Goodell acknowledged that his responses to cases of domestic violence within the league have not been sufficient. “At times, however, and despite our best efforts, we fall short of our goals,” Goodell said. “We clearly did so in response to a recent incident of domestic violence.”
The apology led to the toughening of the league’s domestic abuse policy. A first offense in assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault by any NFL employee will lead to a six games suspension without pay. Second offenses will result in banishment from the league for at least one year.
But crime and domestic violence are not the league’s only problems. On the field, the NFL also faces serious concerns about player safety and violence. As a $765 million proposed settlement between the NFL and a number of retired players continues to be processed in court, some players are opting out in order to pursue a better deal.
In July, a federal judge approved the deal initially but was resubmitted after concerns rose over whether the amount was enough to cover the number of players involved. The family of Junior Seau, who showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy before his suicide in 2012, announced they would not participate in supporting the proposed settlement on Sept. 3, according to ESPN.
The NFL also continues to struggle with its image. Several high-profile sports journalists, a Native American tribe in New York and even a group led by a former FCC chairman have spoken out against the team, saying that the name’s racism outweighs its tradition. An ESPN “Outside the Lines” poll released showed that a majority of Americans believe that the Washington Redskins should not change its team name.
“If I were the owner of the team and I knew that there was a name of my team — even if it had a storied history — that was offending a sizable group of people, I’d think about changing it,” President Obama told the Associated Press last year. At 71 percent, support for the Redskins name has fallen 12 percent in an Associated Press survey from earlier this year.
The league’s problems are often overshadowed by its considerable popularity. With revenues nearing $10 billion a year, the NFL is the most lucrative league in the world. Nearly half of Americans say they are NFL fans. Goodell may have to do even more to “protect the shield” after the 2014–2015 season kickoff.
