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Goodell Says NFL Not Immune To Weakened Economy

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

Goodell disagreed with a union-commissioned study that showed the average value of clubs has grown from $288 million to $1.04 billion in the past decade.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2009

TAMPA - Even a $7 billion industry can't shrug off a new economic order.

The nation's harsh economic environment served as a grim backdrop for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's state-of-the-league address Friday, two days before the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals meet in the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

"We're not immune from what's going on in this economy,'' said Goodell. "There's tremendous uncertainty and fear. Our business partners are going through difficult times, and we hear from them every day. Our fans have less disposable income, people have lost their jobs. The good news for us is we have a tremendous product. There's a flight to quality in times like this.''

On Thursday, the NFL Players Association released the results of a union-commissioned study that showed the average value of clubs has grown from $288 million to $1.04 billion in the past decade.

"I've seen some of the broader summaries of the report, and let me say there's a lot of friction in that,'' Goodell said. "That report is not accurate. The economics were difficult prior to the economy turning south on us. What's happened now is it has accentuated the negatives in that CBA.''

If a new collective bargaining agreement is not worked out, salaries during the 2010 season would be uncapped.

"The union has very in-depth knowledge about our economics,'' Goodell said. "They know all of our revenue down to a penny because they share in that. They also know our largest cost: players' costs. Our environment has changed. The model has shifted, and we have to address that.''

Goodell touched on several other issues, indicating that Thanksgiving games would remain in Detroit and Dallas for the 2009 season.

The commissioner said there was a possibility the Super Bowl would return to Los Angeles to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the inaugural matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs at the Coliseum in 1967.

Goodell noted the intense interest in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-New England Patriots game this fall at London's Wembley Stadium, with tickets selling out in record time.

"We're continuing to grow our game over there,'' he said. "With that passion, if if continues, maybe someday they will have an NFL franchise.''

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