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NFL looks to expand season
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussed a variety of issues Wednesday during a luncheon at the University of the Incarnate Word. The commissioner came to San Antonio at the request of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, a UIW athletics benefactor.
After addressing the lunch crowd, Goodell answered questions submitted in writing. Here are some excerpts:
The NFL is one of the most revered sports (leagues) in the world. How do you continue this growth?
I believe the NFL can become even stronger, and I believe it can be more successful ... I believe we're looking very closely at expanding the regular season ... to 18 games, by taking two of our preseason games away. I think if we structure the season that way, it could make an awful lot of sense, to improve the quality of our product.
San Antonio has grown a great deal in the last few years. We've diversified our economy. Do you feel it is ready for an NFL franchise?
There's no question the growth — as I mentioned earlier — is extraordinary here. You see it as soon as you come into the city. Tom was showing me his first automobile dealership and how it has grown just in that area alone. So there's no question, I think that the vision of the leaders ... to grow this community, has been a very positive one. I think that not only reflects well, but that will provide new opportunities. My words of encouragement will be to stay the course and continue to grow and continue to be prepared if the opportunity comes about.
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about issues with the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Should fans feel worried about a lockout or a strike?
No, I don't think they should ... We'll have football until 2009 and 2010, and the first time any work stoppage could happen is 2011.
This is a negotiation that will take place in May, and essentially we could start working on that now ... The system has to work for the players, the owners and the game — and for you as fans.
What are your thoughts about the NFL Network? When will the NFL Network be available to fans in this area who have Time Warner?
Well, I wish it were today. We are very proud of the NFL Network. We think it's tremendous programming, and it's demonstrated great interest to those fans who have been able to receive it. We have agreements with close to 250 cable operators, telephone carriers and satellite carriers.
We're struggling with Time Warner, Comcast, and Cablevision and Charter (Communications), who control most of the homes, unfortunately. We're looking to find a way to resolve that difference because we know that fans want the NFL Network, and we hope at some point in time we can resolve this directly with them.
We continue to be intensely focused on it and trying to figure out a way to negotiate something that would be acceptable for all parties. I hope at some point soon the fans will win because they deserve the NFL Network, and we're committed to doing it from a long-term standpoint.
What are the prospects for an expansion team in the future?
Again it's not on our front burner. Our focus is to get our collective bargaining agreement resolved satisfactorily for all parties.
Bryan Chu
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell discussed a variety of issues Wednesday during a luncheon at the University of the Incarnate Word. The commissioner came to San Antonio at the request of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, a UIW athletics benefactor.
After addressing the lunch crowd, Goodell answered questions submitted in writing. Here are some excerpts:
The NFL is one of the most revered sports (leagues) in the world. How do you continue this growth?
I believe the NFL can become even stronger, and I believe it can be more successful ... I believe we're looking very closely at expanding the regular season ... to 18 games, by taking two of our preseason games away. I think if we structure the season that way, it could make an awful lot of sense, to improve the quality of our product.
San Antonio has grown a great deal in the last few years. We've diversified our economy. Do you feel it is ready for an NFL franchise?
There's no question the growth — as I mentioned earlier — is extraordinary here. You see it as soon as you come into the city. Tom was showing me his first automobile dealership and how it has grown just in that area alone. So there's no question, I think that the vision of the leaders ... to grow this community, has been a very positive one. I think that not only reflects well, but that will provide new opportunities. My words of encouragement will be to stay the course and continue to grow and continue to be prepared if the opportunity comes about.
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about issues with the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Should fans feel worried about a lockout or a strike?
No, I don't think they should ... We'll have football until 2009 and 2010, and the first time any work stoppage could happen is 2011.
This is a negotiation that will take place in May, and essentially we could start working on that now ... The system has to work for the players, the owners and the game — and for you as fans.
What are your thoughts about the NFL Network? When will the NFL Network be available to fans in this area who have Time Warner?
Well, I wish it were today. We are very proud of the NFL Network. We think it's tremendous programming, and it's demonstrated great interest to those fans who have been able to receive it. We have agreements with close to 250 cable operators, telephone carriers and satellite carriers.
We're struggling with Time Warner, Comcast, and Cablevision and Charter (Communications), who control most of the homes, unfortunately. We're looking to find a way to resolve that difference because we know that fans want the NFL Network, and we hope at some point in time we can resolve this directly with them.
We continue to be intensely focused on it and trying to figure out a way to negotiate something that would be acceptable for all parties. I hope at some point soon the fans will win because they deserve the NFL Network, and we're committed to doing it from a long-term standpoint.
What are the prospects for an expansion team in the future?
Again it's not on our front burner. Our focus is to get our collective bargaining agreement resolved satisfactorily for all parties.
Bryan Chu