• Loading stock data...
Monday, April 28, 2025

Roger Goodell Talks Betting, Brazil, and Taylor Swift to Kick Off Super Bowl Week

  • The commissioner outlines the state of the league during the invite-only media event.
  • The league announced the Philadelphia Eagles will play in Brazil on the Friday of opening weekend.
Roger Goodell
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Goodell held an invite-only press conference in Las Vegas on Monday evening. Ahead of this week’s Super Bowl, he answered questions about sports betting, officiating, Taylor Swift, diversity in hiring, and more.

The press event has been bumped in 2017 from Friday to Wednesday of Super Bowl week, then this year to Monday, with the additional invite-only mandate. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who was not invited, told Front Office Sports the change leads him to believe that the NFL is “trying to make this an easier, less stressful, less contentious, less potentially unfavorable experience for the commissioner.”

And Athletic reporter Jim Trotter, who questioned Goodell about the lack of diversity among decision-makers at NFL Network at the previous two Goodell pre-Super Bowl pressers, was not in attendance. NFL Media did not renew Trotter’s contract last year, and he filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the league in September. 

There were 127 reporters in the room as Goodell spoke for nearly an hour. The Athletic had three reporters ask questions, and a ProFootballTalk reporter was also called upon. 

“Kicking off the week on Monday with the Commissioner rather than midweek or at the end of the week enables the media to focus on the players, the two teams, and the events surrounding the Super Bowl,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told FOS. 

The NFL will evaluate Monday’s setup, and the league heard positive feedback after the presser concluded, McCarthy said. 

Other takeaways from the event:

  • Birds in Brazil: Goodell announced that the Philadelphia Eagles will host the league’s upcoming debut in Brazil in 2024, playing on the Friday night of kickoff weekend. Games will also be played that Thursday night, Sunday, and Monday night.
  • Betting on the NFL Gets You Fired: Goodell stressed the importance of “protecting the integrity of the game throughout the presser.” That means nobody at the NFL—from players to club and league employees—jeopardizes a fair game by betting on the NFL, and the league has proven it takes the matter seriously by educating its people and enforcing its rules. He said that roughly 13 players and about 25 employees on the club and league level have been disciplined through suspension or termination.
  • No Super Bowl paywall: Goodell defended the first playoff game available only on streaming, the first-round game between the Chiefs and Dolphins exclusive to Peacock. He noted the 23 million viewers for that game surpassed the equivalent game during the 2022 playoffs, and the average age of those who watched on Peacock was 10 years younger than the league’s overall viewership average. While Goodell didn’t rule out more streaming playoff games, the Super Bowl won’t be one of them. “‘Not in my time [as commissioner,” Goodell said. Goodell’s current contract expires in March 2027. 
  • Swift Romance Isn’t Scripted: Goodell said the thought that any of the Swift stories was preplanned is “nonsense” and called having her at the games “nothing but a blessing.” “She loves great entertainment, and I think that’s why she loves NFL football,” noting that she’s a football fan outside of Travis Kelce.
  • Las Vegas: Goodell called the fan support in Vegas “nothing short of a miracle,” saying the team exceeded expectations in every way. “I can’t think of a negative thing about it,” he said.

Goodell also was served several questions about diversity, from ownership to assistant coaches. 

As team valuations go up, the NFL is trying to ensure diverse groups of owners intentionally. He noted how the ownership group had voted in a resolution to attract diverse owners. He highlighted both the Washington Commanders and the Denver Broncos, the latter of whom became the NFL’s most diverse ownership group.

Goodell said the league will continue to progress in areas like offensive assistants and the newsroom but said he’s proud that 51% of league employees (not including players) are women or people of color.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Shedeur Sanders Prank Call Was Made by Son of Falcons DC Jeff..

Jax Ulbrich located Shedeur Sanders’s draft phone number on an open iPad.

Green Bay NFL Draft Drew Huge Crowds As Well As TV Ratings

The final turnout smashed projections from the Packers and Green Bay officials.
opinion

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Shedeur Sanders Fixation Hurt ESPN Draft Coverage

Kiper called NFL teams “clueless” and said Sanders’s fall was “disgusting.”

Young GM’s Bold Draft Reshapes the Jaguars and Shakes Up the NFL

James Gladstone pulled the trigger on the Draft’s biggest move.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 26, 2025

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
April 25, 2025

Ohio State’s $20M Roster Sends 7 Players to NFL in First Two..

The NIL-fueled title team had more draftees than all of the Big 12.
April 25, 2025

Five QBs Drafted As Shedeur Sanders Slips to Fourth Round

Shedeur Sanders is still waiting after slipping out of the first round.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
April 25, 2025

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

He said Shedeur Sanders has “phenomenal genes” and asked if owners are “stupid.”
April 25, 2025

NFL Draft Attendance in Green Bay Easily Tops Early Projections

Round 1 drew 205,000 fans in and around Lambeau Field.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
MLB Speedway Classic rendering
April 24, 2025

Baseball Meets Bristol: Braves-Reds Game Aims for Record Crowd

Playing an MLB game inside a racetrack brings unique challenges.