Jerry Jones‘ extensive 2017 fight against Roger Goodell about his contract extension looks like it will cost him. Ken Belson of the New York Times reports the commissioner is preparing to fine the Cowboys owner “millions of dollars” for what Goodell deemed an act of sabotage by Jones in attempting derail his extension last year. That and Jones’ ongoing defense of Ezekiel Elliott will lead to this punishment, several sources informed Belson.
This fine will exceed $2MM, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter). As Mike Florio of PFT notes, the NFL’s Constitution and Bylaws stipulates that the commissioner cannot fine more than $500K for conduct detrimental to the league. However, the NFL is not technically fining Jones, per veteran reporter Ed Werder (Twitter link). Instead, the league is seeking repayment for approximately $2MM in legal expenses relative to his threats to sue the league.Goodell was initially reluctant to take action, but the NFL Finance Committee and other owners are in support of this plan.
Jones threatened to sue the NFL last year over a matter he said stemmed over Goodell’s contract. He hired an attorney and was prepared to sue the six members of the league’s compensation committee in November, and Belson reports the owner attempted to influence NFL officials during Elliott’s case. Belson reports Jones will be ordered to pay the legal fees the compensation committee spent defending itself as well as the legal expenses the NFL spent “defending its decision to suspend Elliott.”
Goodell’s contract went through, with Elliott serving the six-game suspension that Jones and the NFLPA vigorously fought for months. This extensive process left Jones — who once supported a Goodell extension — at intense odds with the commissioner and the Arthur Blank-chaired compensation committee. And this action — foreshadowed, to some degree, late last year — by the league likely won’t quell the animosity any time soon.
Goodell is ridiculous
So Goodell is fining someone for speaking out against him and not wanting him to get an extension? Sounds like retaliation
Exactly
Actually, Jones went after Goodell for wanting to punish Elliot. I can’t stand either one of them, but both are wrong in this case.
Reminds me of Iran and Iraq back when Saddam ran things. Two disgusting aholes fighting and slagging and deserving of every beating they got till Dubya was stupid enough to take Saddam out and basically gave it away to the Ayatollah. If you think this is over with Jones you’re deluded.
Yeah… it’s just like that…
Goodwill v Jones “anything goes” match on pay-per-view with revenue going to NFL retirement fund
Goodell sounds a lot like Obama and the IRS scandal against conservative & Israeli affiliated organizations. Monster.
Couldn’t have happened to two nicer guys. Lol
We know how this goes. It’s settled out of court with Jones writing a check but he will probably make a deal with some large company to make up the difference so it’s not really his $ paying Godell and the league. Jerry is good like that. He is definitely a deal maker.
Goodell is an evil man
I am not thrilled with Jerry Jones because I remember (as do others) what he did to Tom Landry. However Goodell is an utter clown show, I wouldn’t even give him a mop job. Yet he is one of the most powerful people in the entire sports world. SMH
He is but his job is to take the heat from the public and the players on behalf of the owners and they obviously like what he does as a majority. Makes a lot of doe but the NFL is making ridiculous $ so they can afford to pay him so much plus he has been there forever working his way up that ladder.
Repayment of legal expenses is not a fine.
Though it does sound like they hired the most expensive lawyers possible to spite Jones later.
One guys mission is to run the thugs out of the league while the other one wants to run a halfway house.