PHOENIX — The 2023 NFL Annual League Meeting is in the books after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell closed the event with a press conference at the McArthur Ballroom in Arizona’s Biltmore.
Goodell answered questions on a variety of topics raised by the NFL rule is changingPlanning, Selling and Investigating the Washington Commanders and more.
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USA TODAY Sports has the key takeaways from Roger Goodell’s press conference at the Annual League Meeting:
Play games on Thursday night
The NFL voted and authorized teams to play two games in short weeks, but put forward the vote on flexing “Thursday Night Football” games in 2023. Several players took to social media to express their displeasure at playing multiple shortened weeks in a regular season. Including Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We’ve always looked at the data in terms of injuries and the impact on players. That informed our decisions for the first 12 or so years of Thursday Night Football and its development. I think we have very clear data that doesn’t show a higher injury rate. But we recognize the shorter week,” Goodell said. “We’re working very closely on that.”
Goodell went on to say that he’s hearing some players actually like playing on Thursday nights because of the extra days off between regular season games.
“In fact, they call it a mini bye (week),” Goodell said. “They have different views. You want to take them all into account.”
Giants John Mara called Thursday night’s game bending ‘abusive’ according to the NFL network.
The sale of the Washington Commanders is ongoing while the investigation continues
Two groups have reportedly bid $6 billion for the Commanders.
At the same time, the sales process for the Commander is running with Mary Jo White’s investigation of owner Dan Snyder into the team’s toxic workplace and financial inadequacies.
“Both are ongoing processes. The Washington Commanders are obviously the ones directing the sales process,” Goodell said. “If there is a transaction, they will notify us and we will proceed with it.”
The commissioner also revealed that White gave a brief update on the investigation, saying she was “in the middle of her trial” but didn’t give any further details.
The commissioner reiterated that the NFL will release White’s findings once the investigation is complete. The potential sale of the Commanders will not affect the release of White’s report, Goodell said.
Jim Trotter’s contract was not renewed by NFL Media
trotters announced on social media this week that his contract was not renewed by the NFL. This comes after Trotter’s criticism of the NFL for its lack of diversity across the league. The acclaimed NFL columnist interviewed Goodell and the NFL about their hiring practices at the last two Super Bowls.
“I wasn’t a part of that decision,” Goodell said of the NFL’s decision not to renew Trotter’s contract.
Goodell then claimed Trotter’s outspoken disapproval of the league’s hiring practices had nothing to do with his job loss.
“No, I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” Goodell said.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roger Goodell talks about TNF, Washington Commanders, Jim Trotter
Source : sports.yahoo.com