A dozen or so editors attended the second day of the annual APSE Commissioners Meetings, meeting with the U.S. Olympic Committee, the NHL and the NFL on Friday, April 26.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell definitely had a busy afternoon. He had lunch with the former players who were helping make selections during the second and third rounds of the NFL Draft that night. He joined New Jersey governor Chris Christie at the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club to announce a charity effort to spend $2 million on rebuilding places for youth that were damaged by superstorm Sandy last fall.
And in between, he returned to NFL offices in Manhattan to spend about a half-hour with APSE editors.
His take various topics:
– On rules designed to make the game safer: "The game is safer and better. We're seeing the game change. The players are adjusting, the coaches are adjusting. Rule 6 (not leading the the crown of your helmet) … the coaches recognized we need to get the shoulder (tackle) back in the game and not the helmet. The helmet shouldn't be used a as a weapon. If we do it at the NFL level, it will happen in college, high school, youth and other levels."
– On the Super Bowl in New York: "I feel a lot more buzz about the Super Bowl, but perhaps that's because I've not lived in a city that has hosted the Super Bowl before …"
"There will be weather. We can't control what that will be, but we can be prepared for every (possibility)."
– On security for fans in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings: "It's always an imperative for us. We try to keep all of our fans safe around any of our events. We take pride in it."
– On putting a team in Los Angeles: "We don't consider it dead, not at all. There is dialogue with every site. … I think it's unfortunate for the market, fans and NFL (that there isn't a team in L.A.). Our intent is having a team there when we get stadiums built. … We're going to have to find a solution in L.A."
– On the fan experience at home compared to at the stadium: "Nothing's better than to be in an NFL stadium with 75,000 fans. We have to continue to find ways to enhance that experience."
– On whether there's anything new on HGH testing: "Unfortunately not. We offered (the players' association) the same appeal process that's available in baseball. We're doing everything we can to make them say yes (to testing)."
– On the role of journalism: "It's very important. I learned that early on as an intern in the public relations department. You are still a major conduit to our fans. There are more avenues than 20, 30 years ago, but it's still a major conduit."
– On his legacy as commissioner: "I don't look back very much. We have too many challenges in front of us. We want to make the game safer and more exciting. I'm just focused on football."
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, meanwhile, said his league was back in a good place after a season that was shortened by a work stoppage.
“If you skip the first part … we’re having a great season,” Bettman said, noting increased TV ratings in the U.S. and Canada and an attendance at 94 percent of capacity league-wide.
“Nobody wanted to be in the position where we weren’t playing,” he said. “Labor relations is a process. Three of the four major leagues (in the U.S.) have had work stoppage issues recently. We had to have the right deal, the right system.”
The 10-year agreement means the NHL won’t have those worries again soon and will be good for the league’s business partners and fans. “We never want to take our fans for granted,” Bettman said. “We may not have as large a fan base, but none are more avid than ours.”
To that end, the NHL is considering “multiple games” in “multiple cities” for its popular Jan. 1 outdoor game.
“Outdoor hockey brings chills,” Bettman said. “It is our roots. The fan experience of the game, the tailgating … that’s unprecedented.”
He said many franchises inquire about hosting, but he wasn’t ready to make any announcements. “I tell the teams that want one, they may have to wait 10-15 years because there’s so much interes,” he said. “And those that have hosted and want another, I tell them the same thing.”
The interest isn’t limited to northern climates. Florida and Southern California (Dodger Stadium) have made inquires as well. “If we ever had a game in Southern California, the results would be extraordinary,” Bettman said.
The league is still working on an arrangement for its players to participate in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. And while Bettman recognizes hockey players history of playing for their national teams, says Sochi presents more problems such as time-difference (meaning fewer live games on prime-time TV in the U.S.) and longer distance.
And although he said the league was stronger now, it was not considering expansion or the relocation of any franchises.
The day began with a trip to the Associated Press office and a sit-down with USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun and chief communication and public affairs officer Patrick Sandusky.
Hot topics included bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The only campaign that Blackmun would identify was a joint, cross-border bid between San Diego and Tijuana. Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Tulsa have all announced their own interest in being host cities.
The U.S. bid unsuccessfully for the 2012 and 2016 Games.
"We're in discussion with about 10 cities actively now,'' Blackmun said. "USOC's Blackmun on 2024 bid: "We're not sure we're going to submit a bid, but we do think it's important to get the Games back in the U.S."
Blackmun also advocated for wrestling, softball and baseball to be added back to the Olympics, and spoke of plans for Sochi — particularly security, noting that the USOC is working with the State Department in advance of the Games.
On other topics:
Backmun appreciates social media's impact on the Olympics: "Kobe (Bryant) is telling stories about beach volleyball? It doesn't get better than that."
Blackmun cites American skier Lindsey Vonn and theU.S. women's hockey team as likely faces to watch during the 2014 Games.
— Jeff Rosen (Kansas City Star), Gene Warnick (Los Angeles Daily News) and Reid Laymance (Houston Chronicle).
