Goodell Frustrated Over Stalled Talks

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Roger Goodell Frustrated Over NFL’s Stalled Talks

May 6, 2011 8:00 AM

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (credit: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed frustration Thursday in the lack of negotiations toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

During a conference call, Goodell reiterated the league’s desire to resume negotiations with the locked-out players. The venue is an important distinction and the commissioner and owners have repeatedly accused the players of walking away from negotiations in March, kicking off the federal court fight that has included four days of judge-ordered mediation.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re making much progress in negotiations because they really aren’t happening,” Goodell said on the call. “Right now, it’s in a litigation phase and the union is pursuing that while we are defending that. Unfortunately, there are not enough negotiations, which ultimately it’s going to have to come back to and is where this will get resolved and end in a new collective bargaining agreement.”

The next date for court-ordered talks in front of a federal magistrate is May 16.

The 30-minute teleconference produced no fireworks, bombshells or breaking news on the labor dispute which has brought the NFL to a standstill. Goodell has conducted similar question-and-answer sessions with other clubs since the lockout began.

Nevertheless, several fans, identified only by first name, were able to make some points. Joan, a Chiefs season ticket holder since 1963, was concerned about players’ conditioning during the lockout.

“I don’t understand how you expect — my husband was a professional football player. But he played back in the days when you didn’t get a million dollars and you really aren’t worth a million dollars. Sorry,” she said to Goodell. “He played both ways and they don’t have any players like that any more. But I don’t understand how you expect these players to perform when they can’t practice. I mean, you have to be in shape to be able to play.”

Goodell was sympathetic.

Well, Joan, you’re absolutely right,” he said. “What we have been focusing on is strength and conditioning vs. the contact drills and we’re trying to find the right balance to make sure the players are in the best possible physical condition.”

Jack, a season ticket holder from southeast Missouri, told the owner and the commissioner the league could be damaged if the dispute is not resolved soon.

“I’m afraid if this drags into the season, it could have a long-term affect on the league. There’s going to be people that aren’t going to come back if we lose games,” he said. “My question is, what assurances can we have from you guys that we’re not going to cook the golden goose?”

When will the lockout end? Make your prediction below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

[T0mShane]

If the owners didn't ram the stay through the 8th circuit, they'd be at the negotiating table with the NFLPA today while the players were prepping for the season.

[Barcs]

I hate Goodell. I'm glad he's frustrated. When you water down a sport that many people have been watching for decades, players and fans will not support you. This guy is the worst thing to happen to football in a long time.

[Bugg]

A lie. Goodell could lift the lockout in the next 10 minutes and get a hotel conference room with Bel Biv Demaurice aand their various attorneys this weekend in NYC or DC by 5PM today. Instead he would rather talk to the media like this again. Go figure.

[JetsFanInDenver]

We are in a society where people in position of power can lie and not only go unchallenged but they find space on the next day's newspaper.

I wonder at what point of time you have to stop calling yourself a journalist.

[BroadwayJ667]

There is an easy solution. Call D-Smith and say you want to meet for a negotiation. Even a novice at politics sees right through the cheap wax paper that is Roger Gooddell.

I really do loathe that man. The way that he has outlawed big hits is insane. Though what is even more insane is that the players refused to stand up to it. It they did a work action and had refused to play one or two weeks until they stopped restricting the game that would send a message, but the players are just as gutless. (different argument though)

[serphnx]

I can't stand Goodell and these cheap media ploys. Since there are people actually buying this sh*t, I'm sure he will continue with this garbage and the league will be fine.

Personally I wish we could just create another league with all the players, and then see how successful the NFL would be. Nobody watches the NFL to see the owners. No rational person at any rate.

Also I think with our current economic climate, most people don't really care about football as much anymore anyway. The NBA is heating up again and we also have so many entertainment options now, if football shows people that they can live without it, it will take awhile to get that audience back again. At various times in my life I've just been too busy to pay attention to football, yet I'm also pretty sure that I'm one of the bigger fanatics when I do pay attention. So if somebody like me can just completely ignore football for years at a time, I'm sure most people can do so as well. It's just most people have never had a reason to. That can change quickly.