NFL commissioner says lockout is 'tool to force negotiation'

Negotiation not litigation.

That was the theme that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell trumpeted repeatedly during a conference call with Tennessee Titans season ticketholders on Thursday afternoon.

No new ground was covered as Goodell charged players’ leadership with attempting to undermine the basic competitive fabric of the league, espoused the notion that the economics of the league have changed dramatically in recent years and defended the lockout implemented by the owners in March.

When asked point blank whether he thought there would be a season, he was non-committal.

“I believe that the players want to play, the clubs want to play and it’s in the best interest of the game,” Goodell said. “There obviously are issues that we disagree on but there are certainly solutions to those disagreements. And I think it’s going to come down to everyone realizing that we’re better off working together to find solutions than fighting.

“… I’m certainly going to work as hard as I can to find those solutions and get this resolved as quickly as possible.”

Questions raised over roughly 35 minutes of give and take covered topics from the specifics of negotiations, the proposed 18-game schedule, the proposed rookie salary cap, ticket costs and even the possibility of the NFL’s eventual return to Los Angeles.

Repeatedly, Goodell put the onus on the decertified NFL Players’ Association to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement rather than rely on lawsuits, some of which, Goodell contended, threaten the ability of franchises such as the Titans to succeed by altering or eliminating things such as free agency and the draft.

“All four teams in the last two Super Bowls are small markets, but they have the chance to compete,” Goodell said. “These rules are part of that effort to keep the game competitive. … I believe [the players’] attorneys are attacking the game and in seeking leverage in a negotiation. I understand that, but we’re going to defend the quality of our game and the things we think have made this game special for our fans.”

He acknowledged on several occasions that the lockout can have a detrimental impact but attempted to frame it as a positive part of the process.

“My personal view is this is what labor negotiations are,” he said. “They get resolved. The players struck twice in the ’80s. Lockouts are a tool to force negotiation, to force pressure on all parties so that there is a negotiation.

“This [work stoppage] is not good for anybody. It’s not good for clubs, it’s not good for the players, it’s certainly not good for the fans. But it’s time to address this. These are serious issues that need to be addressed.”

To that end, he repeatedly stressed the need for productive talks between both sides.

“The best and fastest resolution is to negotiate,” he said. “We are taking the initiative to make sure we do everything possible to create the best possible environment to have those meetings. … Litigation creates and environment where negotiation can only happen in certain forums.”

Ultimately, one side or the other is going to win in the courts.

The court of public opinion likely will be different, though.

“We have to recognize that fans love the NFL for the quality, for the value and for the fact that it’s great entertainment,” Goodell said. “… Unfortunately, when you have labor dispute like you have now fans don’t want to hear it. I don’t think there’s sympathy for either side.

“They just want more football. This hurts the game. If it hurts the game, it could be bad for fan support.”