Is Roger Goodell Good For the NFL?

[sportscurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

This is a new direction to the threads in here, but whether or not Goodell is good for the NFL is almost a moot issue, as the NFL, as well as most other pro sports leagues(FIFA, and foreign sports included) are becoming more akin to WWE entertainment than anything. Sorry, just too much money passing hands in Vegas, Atlantic City, and elsewhere for there not to be big corruption in pro sports, with the NFL being top dog. This issue has been pre Goodell in all fairness, but this guy is a joke. Fining guys for hits that were OK 10, 15, 20 years ago. No TD celebrations, phantom calls with flags flying like crazy, momentum killing holding calls, etc, is rather lame. I can appreciate what he is trying to do with expanding the NFL to Europe, but that is a pipedream at best. Nationalism is creeping back into the fore in Europe, especially E Europe. I don't think they would want their local teams to be filled up with yanks, while their FIFA squad is of their own kind. Also, Europe is really hurting economically, I don't think you are going to get most Europeans to fork over that kind of $$$$$$$$ to see American football. Shoot FIFA games can't get sold out crowds most of the time, as they have to put their money to the necessities like food, clothing, rent. In short, Goodell can't escape the ever deteriorating world economy. In my opinion Goodell is just tightening the corporate grip on the NFL and I think if it continues people will lose interest, say a good 15-20 years down the road.

1. At one time, there was no penalty for facemasking. They change the rule. So now calls are made - - and sometimes fines levied - - for things that were OK in the past. That is called "evolving the game"...

2. If you think that fan disagreement with calls by referees is new to the Goodell era of the NFL, you are seriously mistaken.

3. "Back in the day" there were no TD celebrations. If you are going to lambaste the leage for calling things now that were not called 20 years ago, then applaud the league for going back to its roots with no TD celebrations. Or at least try to be consistent in your criticisms...

4. The NFL as a novelty in Europe has worked VERY well. The "London game" sells about 80,000 tix every year. This year it will be a home game for the Cardinals who do not sell 80,000 tix to their home games in Arizona very often. History says that "American football" is not going to be a big seller in Europe if it is there on a permanent basis. The WLAF - - under various guises - - showed that.

5. In order for the NFL to "lose grip" in 15 - 20 years, one of two conditions has to obtain:

A. Something replaces the NFL as the top dog sports attraction in the US

B. Americans find something else to do with their leisure time than follow sports.

That leads me to ask: Which of those two things will it be?

If you pick A, tell me what will replace the NFL as the American national sports obsession

If you pick B, tell me what sorts of things Americans are going to choose to do as they begin to focus on something other than sports.