Roger Goodell has a lot on his plate these days, but apparently policing HBO’s “Ballers” isn’t on the NFL commissioner’s agenda.
Actor and Boston native Mark Wahlberg, who is an executive producer for the show, caused a stir Friday by claiming on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” radio show that Goodell had called him to say NFL players aren’t allowed to appear in “Ballers.”
That’d be pretty big news if the commissioner was withholding his players from appearing on the show because it casts the league in a negative light, which Wahlberg insinuated Friday. But on Sunday, Natalie Ravitz, the NFL’s senior vice president of communications, steadfastly denied Wahlberg’s story.
Ravitz reiterated the league’s stance in response to several articles about Wahlberg’s comments.
Either way, it appears “Ballers” has had no issues getting cameos from current and former NFL players. The HBO show, which currently is in its second season and follows an ex-NFL player’s career as a financial advisor, already has had appearances from players such as Julian Edelman, Victor Cruz and Jason Pierre-Paul.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
