If Roger Goodell ends up being ousted as NFL commissioner, Jerry Jones reportedly could be among those responsible.
The Dallas Cowboys owner is one of 17 NFL owners who discussed blocking Goodell’s pending extension on a conference call Thursday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reported Sunday, citing league sources. Reports in August indicated the league was close to extending Goodell’s contract, which expires in 2019. Jones, however, has been getting in the way ever since, and reportedly was a “leading voice” in the latest discussion to halt Goodell’s extension.
Jones reportedly was “furious” with the commissioner for suspending Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott in August, so there could be a personal motivation here.
But why are so many other owners souring on Goodell?
“There is a growing difference of opinion among owners about Goodell’s overall performance as commissioner,” Mortensen and Schefter reported, via ESPN.com. “The owners on Thursday’s conference call are generally unhappy with Goodell and the NFL’s front office for a variety of reasons, including the player protests staged during the national anthem, issues regarding the relocation of teams to Los Angeles and the league’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case.”
Here’s what one owner reportedly said during the conference call:
“You don’t get to have this many messes over the years like Roger has had and survive it.”
While those comments don’t bode well for Goodell’s future, the group of owners reportedly think it will be difficult to oust the commissioner, as 24 owners would have to sign off on such a move.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
