Roger Goodell Live Blog: 'We Have Rules; We Are A League Of Rules'
12:16 p.m.: Future competitive violations, you wrote that there'd be increased penalties and a lower threshold of a standard of proof after Spygate? Have those come up since then?
"We want the truth. That's what I think our fans want, that's what our clubs want, so what we want to do is make sure we find that truth. If there are violations of the rules, we take them seriously, particularly when they relate to the integrity of the game and the rules."
"That's important for us to do as we continue to make sure that the league is run in an appropriate way and with the right integrity."
And with that, the press conference is over.
12:15 p.m.: Goodell thanks the people of Arizona and everyone in charge of making this week happen. Only one question remains...
12:14 p.m.: Average Super Bowl ticket price is over $10,000? Is the secondary market being manipulated?
"I think that shows the incredible fan demand. We obviously follow that closely. We follow the various secondary ticketing companies. ... We will follow that closely to make sure that everything is being done to protect the fan interest."
12:13 pm.: Goodell fielded questions about San Diego's stadium situation, New Orleans' ownership, and more about London.
12:10 p.m.: When asked why the NFL is investigating so thoroughly into deflated footballs, which is not all that different from a spitball in baseball, Goodell simply said, "We have rules. We're a league of rules."
He stressed that over and over again, that any violation of rules is an issue with the integrity of the game. Goodell said that whatever actual advantage was gained is secondary, and that the mere act of breaking the rules is the larger issue.
12:08 p.m.: Reactions to Sherman's claim of favoritism of the Patriots?
"I was at the Kraft's residence along with season-ticket holders, sponsors, media partners, the night before as part of an AFC championship party. That's part of what we do. I was there to participate in a program with our partners CBS, taking questions from the audience. It's something that I do on a regular basis. It's not unusual."
Goodell said it's also not unusual to work with an owner like Kraft.
"Professionally, I have a relationship with him, and I also admire, respect and think very highly of him on a personal level. There's no hiding from that. But since he knows me so well and he knows that I'm not going to do anything to compromise the integrity of the league, I think he has no doubt that I will do the right thing for the NFL."
12:07 p.m.: Does Buffalo need a new stadium?
"I think that's an important consideration for the Buffalo market and that region, but also the NFL. ... I'm from Western New York, I love Ralph Wilson Stadium, but it's got to compete with a lot of new stadiums that have very important features that that stadium does not have."
12:05 p.m.: Why is the Super Bowl in Arizona?
"Arizona earned it. We've had a great experience here in Arizona in prior years, they put together a winning bid that ownership selected. The proof is in the pudding, they've done an outstanding job this week."
12:04 p.m.: Do you believe you should take a pay cut?
Goodell said that's up to the owners.
12:03 p.m.: Has the NFL ever tested PSI in footballs in the middle of a game prior to last Sunday?
"I don't know the answer to that question. That would be something I presume that Ted Wells will look into."
12:02 p.m.: Goodell was asked about Las Vegas, and he said he's had no dialogue with that city about the NFL being there.
He was then asked about the early London starts. He said it was good for TV in the US and good for attendance in London, where fans from other countries could attend and get home at a reasonable hour.
"We'll continue it," he said of the early start times in London.
12 p.m.: When Sean Payton was suspended, Goodell said that "ignorance is no excuse." Will the same standards apply on DeflateGate investigation?
"I want to make sure that we don't mix issues. These are individual cases. The Saints' bounty case was something where there were allegations of that the year prior. We investigated it, could not find anything. Later, new information came to us that verified that a bounty program was in place. At that point in time, they were all on notice."
"I do hold the head coach responsible in that case."
"We don't know enough in this investigation to know who was responsible or even if there was an infraction."
Also, if the players have to speak every week, Richard Sherman said the commissioner should too.
"I'm available to the media almost every day of my job, professional. We try to make ourselves available on a regular basis."
11:58 a.m.: The "Play 60 Kid" asked Goodell how he plays 60.
Goodell said he was at the gym at 5:45 a.m., on the elliptical machine.
That's great, Rog.
11:54 a.m.: Goodell was asked about his relationship with players, who have spoken out quite a bit. Goodell said he speaks with them, mostly privately, and that he remains in constant contact with players.
"No one has more respect for the players, what they do in our communities, what they do on the field, the importance of them for our league going forward. ... That's a privilege for me."
Regarding player discipline: "We don't want to wait until law enforcement concludes the process. It could take months."
11:52 a.m.: Are you concerned with the credibility gap and what steps can you take during investigations like the ongoing one in New England?
"I don't agree with you ... I think we have hired people who have uncompromising integrity. ... Their integrity is impeccable."
"Their conclusions are drawn only by the evidence and only by the attempt to identify that truth."
"Somebody has to pay them, Rachel [Nichols], so unless you're volunteering, we have to do that."
11:51 a.m.: Why does the league not spend as much energy in Mexico as it could?
"We want to get back there. ... It's a combination of stadium availabilities, making sure we can do it at the standards we expect. ... We are looking at other markets including Mexico, and we certainly hope we'll be back there soon.
11:48 a.m.: Can Roger envision a scenario where he would resign?
"No I can't. Does that surprise you?
He said it's been a year of learning.
"It's an opportunity for us to get better, so we've all done a lot of soul searching, starting with yours truly."
"It's been a year of great progress, and I'm excited about the future."
"We want to make a difference in this area [of domestic violence]."
11:46 a.m.: What's Roger's take on Marshawn Lynch's week?
"On the second part of your question, I do not believe any decision has been made on that," he said regarding Lynch's non-licensed hat.
"When you're in the NFL you have an obligation. An obligation to the fans. It is part of your job, and there are things that we have to do at our jobs that we may not want to do. ... Fans are curious, fans want to know, the media would like to make that story clear to our fans. I understand it may not be at the top of his list, but everyone else is cooperating, everyone else is doing their part, because it is their obligation."
"It comes with the privilege of playing in the Super Bowl."
11:45 a.m.: Goodell fields another question about a potential relocation of the Rams to L.A.
11:43 a.m.: Bob Kravitz asked Goodell about Robert Kraft's suggestion that the league owes the Patriots an apology.
"This is my job. This is my responsibility to respect the integrity of the game. I represent 32 teams. ... And if we have any information that rules were violated, I have to pursue that and I have to pursue that aggressively. So this is my job. ... We will do it vigorously, and it is important for it to be thorough and fair."
11:42 am: Second question: How committed is the NFL to keeping a team in St. Louis? And is St. Louis violating relocation guidelines?
Goodell said that the NFL wants all current teams to remain in their current markets.
"We will work and have worked with communities, including St. Louis. ... We will make sure that it works for our communities as well as our teams."
11:40 a.m.: First question, what will the NFL do to restore the shield.
Goodell said that process is well underway. He announced the league will hire a special counsel as well as adding other resources and assets to make sure they have a thorough and fair process.
11:37 a.m.: Goodell gives all the credit of the success of the league to the players.
"We have enormous responsibility to lead every day by example. It is what our fans deserve. We are humbled by and grateful for their passion. They are the ones who inspire me, our owners and coaches ... and we know we must earn the trust of our fans every day."
11:36 am.: On DeflateGate:
"We take seriously anything that impacts the integrity of the game."
"Two questions: Why were some footballs used int he game that were not in compliance with the rules, and was this the result of deliberate action? I want to emphasize, we have made no judgments on these points, and we will not compromise the investigation by engaging in speculation."
When the investigation is completed, "we will share his report publicly."
11:34 a.m.: Goodell said that the league will consider cycling the officiating crews through the regular season, not just the postseason.
He also said there are positives to the idea of expanding the postseason, "but there are concerns as well, among them being diluting our regular season and conflicting with college football."
11:32 a.m.: "We are establishing the position of a chief medical officer. ... This person will oversee our medical policies and make sure that we update them regularly."
This person will work closely with the NFLPA.
"There is more work to do on other fronts. .. Fans want every play to have suspense. We have experimented with alternatives to make more competitive play."
11:30 a.m.: "I truly believe that we will continue to make progress, because the NFL is made up of good and caring people."
Goodell said the league will focus on innovation in the game, player safety and the fan experience this offseason.
"We are doing more to protect our players from unnecessary risk. Hits to defenseless players this season were down 68 percent. ... Concussions were down 25 percent this season, continuing a three-year trend."
11:29 a.m.: Goodell has stepped to the podium.
He opened by congratulating the Seahawks and Patriots. "They emerged as the best of the best in a terrific year of football."
11:24 a.m.: Roger is here. You can say a lot about the man, but he sure is punctual. Press conference should start in five minutes.
11:15 a.m. MT: Good morning/afternoon, folks, from a gray, rainy Phoenix, where moments from now, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will step to the podium and address the media in advance of Super Bowl XLIX.
The Super Bowl is the league's signature event of the year, and this week has gone rather smoothly for all parties involved. Still, this press conference figures to not be a highlight of the week for Goodell, who will likely have to answer for a number of negative developments in the league this year. From officiating controversies to off-the-field discipline to the ongoing investigation into the air pressure of footballs, the league hasn't exactly been held in the highest regard by many folks this season.
So we shall see what he says, and I'll be live blogging his comments for you all. Keep hitting that refresh button for the latest from Goodell.
Read more from Michael Hurley by clicking here. You can email him or find him on Twitter @michaelFhurley.
