If you love football, you’re probably a little worried about its future in this trying time. Understanding who runs the NFL and how it functions will help you to get a grip on why decisions are being made the way they are and what’s going on with the NFL this year. Here’s what you need to know about who owns the NFL.
The NFL as a Not-For-Profit
In the sixties, the NFL changed its status to a tax-exempt organization. People complained about this for many years thanks to the tremendous profits of the NFL. It was believed that they only motivations for establishing themselves as a not-for-profit was in order to get shelter from taxes and achieve other government benefits.
After much scrutiny, in 2015, the league gave up its not-for-profit status. This move really didn’t hurt the NFL financially, since the tax hit was not significant compared to the huge profit of the NFL. However, it was a powerful boost for public opinion about this organization.
Who Runs the NFL Now?
Commissioner Rodger Goodell is the highest up in the NFL, although the executive committee is also essential for decision-making. In fact, in order for there to be a big change to the policy, club, rules, or any other game modification, the order has to be approved by 75% of the committee. This stringent requirement is designed to maintain the purity of NFL and regulation, but it also means that Rodger Goodell is seen as many as barely more than a figurehead.
Executive Vice President of Operations Troy Vincent is also an important member of decision making in the NFL. He examines game analytics, makes sure the integrity of the game is being maintained, and encourages the NFL to develop and grow. He is also responsible for managing procedure and policies and maintaining accountability.
Who Owns the NFL?
The NFL is not owned by any one person or even group. In fact, the best definition you can find of owners for the NFL would be the owners of the 32 teams that make up the NFL. Commissioner Rodger Goodell is generally answering to the owners when working out negotiation.
In negotiations about player labor, the NFL players Association and DeMaurice Smith are speaking out for the player while Goodall represents the interests of the team owners. Although team owners compete, they also must work together for the overall health of the league.
NFL Decisions about Colin Kaepernick
When a quarterback kneeled during the national anthem, many people perceived it as being disrespectful to both the military and the flag. Kaepernick insisted that his actions were motivated by racial injustice and increasingly terrible police brutality, but his insistence was often drowned out by many who were determined to view his actions as anti-military.
The NFL responded in like, blackballing Colin Kaepernick despite his being an extremely successful NFL quarterback. The NFL worked together and not a single team invited him to work.
However, in light of the death of George Floyd, the tide of public opinion turned. Many more people supported Kaepernick, even some of his strongest critics. The NFL responded, issuing an apology, but not specifically to Kaepernick.
Instead, Goodell claimed that the NFL condemns racism and black oppression and acknowledged wrongdoing in not listening to NFL players in general. Many people thought that this didn’t go far enough and that he ought to have directly apologized to Kaepernick, whose career was permanently damaged due to the blackball.
One person that Kaepernick did get a direct apology from was the wife of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. She had vocally criticized Kaepernick during the initial kneeling, but equally publicly apologized to him later, saying that she was wrong for not having realized that he was in fact speaking out against racial injustice and that it had nothing to do with the military.
None the less, Kaepernick is likely to never play football professionally again because of the decision to kneel. However, many people strongly believe that his decision is worth the sacrifice, as he may have made a significant change in the attitude of the NFL.
What Does the NFL do?
When you consider how much of the discussion about NFL leadership is around policy, you may wonder if all they do is work out their opinions about players and deal with policy decisions. In fact, the work of the NFL is largely centered around policies, but these policies affect every aspect of the game. Everything from sidelines and locker rooms and equipment are perfectly equalized to avoid unfair advantages. Maintenance of equipment, fields, uniforms, everything else is held to a high standard by the NFL.
Keep up to Date About The Politics of The Nfl
If you care about football, understanding NFL politics is also an important part of your hobby. Follow expert sports picks to stay up-to-date on everything that is going on in the NFL, both in regards to leadership and players.
