Goodell is the owners' sock puppet, so he gets the praise from the owners. Personally, I think the guy is completely over his head. And I think the commissioner is there to do what is best for the league. I wasn't a Tagliabue fan, but he really didn't give too much of a hoot what the owners think and tried to do what was best for the game. I disagreed with a lot of his decisions, but at least it was done with the game's best interest in mind.
This is why pro sports leagues rise and fall and the NFL will do as well. Eventually, by hook or by crook, the commissioner of the league becomes bought and paid for by the owners. It would be just as bad as a commish bought and paid for by the players. It's really about the fans and I think it's foolish for Jerry to think that down the road this will not come to bite the league in the arse. Jerry may be long gone by then, but it will trickle down to his family.
YR