ALEX SOUTH · @THEALEXSOUTH
5th Feb 2016 from TwitLonger
Full BBC interview with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ahead of Super Bowl 50
The Super Bowl has come a long way since 1967. Do you think your predecessors could ever have imagined it would be this big?
No I'm sure they wouldn't have thought it would get this big. One of my predecessors will be here this weekend and even he is amazed by it, I'm amazed by it. It continues to grow on a global basis. It's something we've worked very hard to establish and create but we also it just continues to get bigger here in the States. I estimate 200 million people will watch this game in the USA, we know more and more people are interested in it, the week is getting longer and it's getting bigger and better for our fans and that's what we really want.
I'd like to talk about the international development of the game, is there a saturation point coming in the USA? Is it therefore essential the NFL finds a global market to keep growing the game?
If there is a saturation point I'm sure not aware of it and I don't see it coming. It continues to amaze us how fans to continue to engage in our game and want more of it. Our Global strategy is really about our growth strategy. We continue to bring our game to millions of fans on a global basis. The reaction to every game we play in London is that fans want more of it. So we are responding to that interest and trying to create that interest. That's our job so our growth strategy includes growing on a global basis as well as here in the States.
London is the obvious port of call but recently, Germany, Mexico and Brazil have also been mentioned as possible venues for games… but how do Americans feel about this move towards a more international game.
I think in general the fans love the fact we are playing in London because it's sharing America's passion with the world, our fans love seeing the game being played at Wembley stadium so this is a positive thing for them. Fans who lose a home game, that may be a different issue because they only have a limited number of games. They have 10 games at home a year, so there is a sacrifice for the fans. We are very sensitive to that and try to deal with that but it's well worth the sacrifice as they are seeing their team play on a global stage in London and that's something they take great pride in.
Losing a few games a year is one thing, losing a franchise is another?
I've made the point we call it relocation and when a franchise relocates from one territory to another it's a painful process. It's difficult, it doesn't happen very often, we frankly discourage it through our policies but we also work hard to avoid it coming to that point. We have one this year. It involves one team going back to the Los Angeles market and while it's difficult to leave the St. Louis market, when a team goes back to a market particularly after trying to resolve its issues. That's something the membership looks at carefully and considers thoroughly and makes a decision on a basis of a 24 out of 32 team vote. It's difficult but it's something that happens from time to time.
Could we see a team in London?
I've often said the reaction we've gotten from our fans in the UK amazes us. Every year there's more enthusiasm. There's a sophistication, they understand the game… clearly. And the numbers continue to grow. The answer is I do think it's possible, we are evaluating that as we go, we anticipate there are going to be more games in the future played in London and as long as the game continues to grow in popularity and we can resolve, what I would call, competitive issues, which are very important to us. Any team that's based in another market, We want to make sure they can do it on a competitive basis. A team in the UK would have obviously unique competitive issues that we have to address and we are evaluating that and I expect that we will have to address those issues if it ever comes to that point.
Sooner rather than later?
It depends on your definition of a long way off. If we look back at the first ever domestic game played internationally, that a lot of people doubted wouldn't be successful. To now three games that have sold out in the last year and this year we are seeing an extraordinary reaction. To be able to do three games and get the kind of fan that we have, I don't doubt the UK fans, so if you are asking me do I believe if the UK has the passion for an NFL franchise then yes I do. If we can address our issues we are going to do that on a timely basis but there is no time frame. We want to do it right and make sure we are successful ultimately.
A franchise in London could lead to a super bowl in London. Could we be at Super Bowl 100 on international shores?
Well one things for sure I won't be the commissioner then, so I’m not sure it'll be my issue to address but I do. Listen that's the first step. If there's a franchise there then it could happen. People talk frequently in our league whether there will be an international super bowl in the future but I think that's some ways off. Our priority is to continue to grow the game and make the events successful and at some point in time of we see an opportunity to put a franchise in the UK we will try to seize that opportunity.
Peyton Manning said Cam Newton will be the face of the NFL for the next 10 years. How important to the league is it that a black quarter back is getting this sort of recognition?
We don't look at our players in that sense. We look at Cam newton as a dynamic player, one that also has a big stage on the field but also off the field. He's a very thoughtful young man who represents the league in a very positive way. Our players are extraordinary young men, there's lots of media attention when things don't go well and players make bad decisions but as a group and virtually all our players are outstanding men are outstanding men that represent their families and themselves and our league. We look at all of our players are important to the success of the league and Cam is certainly one of them.
Super Bowl 50 is a big celebration but there are issues facing the sport. Player safety being one of them. There were 271 reported concussions this season, a step up from 2014-15, when there were 206, and the highest number in the last four years.
This latest injury report comes just as doctors discovered posthumously that former Oakland Raiders Quarter Back Ken Stabler had the brain disease CTE? This has to be a major concern to the league?
It's our number one priority in that we have worked on making our game safer through rules, through equipment, invested in research to get answers that we share with all sports on a global basis including many sports in the UK. The awareness has been a positive thing, the numbers we see in concussions will go up in any given year or down. What we want to make sure is that we are providing the best medical care. Our screenings for concussions went up by 8 so it's logical to think that's contributed to the rise in reported concussions. We also have lowered the threshold on identifying a concussion again a positive thing. Due to the awareness and the education our players are referring themselves to medical professionals more quickly but also more frequently. So we think there is good news in the fact that we are seeing those cultural changes. It's making our game safer for our players, we know there are risks to playing any sport but we also understand the rewards for playing our game are extraordinary. Most people, who play the game talk about the values they've learnt from it, talk about the rewards of playing the game and understanding teamwork and discipline and I think that's one of things that make our game so special whether you are a player or fan. We recognise the rewards but we also try and prevent the injuries from occurring.
With a Hollywood film currently out with a big star in Will Smith playing the lead, the wider world could be hearing about this problem for the first time. The NFL and yourself do not come across very well in the film where it's alleged the league concealed the dangers of head trauma. Have you seen the film?
I haven't seen the film but we continue to work on engaging in the conversation and anything that contributes to the conversation is a positive thing. We want and I want to continue to focus on doing the work, which is leading in terms of research, leading in terms of rule changes, leading on making better equipment, we are sharing this to make all sports safer. This is an issue for all sports and beyond all sports have to deal with and what we are trying to do is make sure we can make a difference for everyone.
Is there a danger mums and dads stop their children playing the game, and the NFL has a future participation problem?
You make a very important point, perception v facts. We are trying to make sure people have the facts so when they make the decision of which sports there children play they have the facts about the risk and what the rewards are. That's what all parents do, that's what I do, I have twin daughters who are 14. I want them to participate in sports, I want them to do it safely. I want them to know the coaches are focused on their safety and that they understand and they've been trained how to do it safely. And identify, not necessarily make a determination, but identify when someone should get medical treatment. We want kids to participate in sports, there are risks to not participating and sitting on your couch. It's called obesity and it's one of the biggest epidemics we have in our world. We want them to play and be active. I played for 9 years and I wouldn't give up a single day of it. I believe in the game I believe in the values it brings for individuals.
Playing can lead to damage, many former players have now been diagnosed with CTE, there is an inherent violence in the sport, do you as an organisation have to look at taking some of that aggression out of your sport to look after your assets?
We've changed our rules, we've changed our equipment. We've made 39 rule changes to make our game safer. Our former players according to our government studies are living 3 years longer than you or I as an average male. They are living higher quality lives according to government research. So this is always something we try to improve on and we will continue to look after players when they are playing and also making sure they are being proper care after they finish playing.
I always find the black out policy fascinating. In the United Kingdom you cannot show soccer games between 3 and 5 pm to protect the live games, as they want fans to go to the stadiums. This isn't an issue in the States as you have the black out rule which means teams must sell a certain percentage of tickets otherwise their game can't be televised… could soccer in the UK learn from the NFL on this issue?
I don't know, I have my hands full doing the right things for the NFL but the basis of our success is that we make our games more broadly available to our fans. We have to work harder because the technology available for our fans, we want people to watch. The next generation of high definition televisions are on their way, we aren't going to stop that we embrace that. We have to work harder to make sure the stadiums are full for NFL games because there is nothing like being in the stadium on a game day and the fact that we are 98% full supports that. We have so many fans who want to come to the game but can't because of demand. So the TV experience is important and now the changes in the media landscape mean we can reach directly to our consumers but our black out policy really doesn't alter the way we do things.
We are asking players to give the fans in the UK any tips to stay up and watch the games?
Take a nap… before the game because you don't want to miss it. You will see the spectacle that this has become. I believe it's one of the great experiences in the world. So I hope our UK fans take a nap and be perky for the ball game.
You've been described as the most Powerful man in American sport… The president comments on your salary… You've been commissioner for 10 years this year… Do you ever think it's just not worth it???
I am the luckiest guy in the world, I'm doing what I love to do, I have a passion for the game it's what I’ve done my whole life and I wouldn't give up a single second of it. Like any job you have good moments bad moments but I grew up dreaming about doing this job and it's fulfilled every dream that I thought of.