When the owners get together this month for their quarterly meeting, they may decide to talk among themselves about disgraced Clippers owner Donald Sterling. But Commissioner Roger Goodell won’t be talking to them about the situation.
“I believe that our ownership understands the world that we live in and how much we value diversity,” Goodell tells Rich Eisen of NFL Media. “That’s something that is one of the essential parts of what makes our league successful and has over the decades. So, no, I don’t see a need to do that. I believe that our owners understand the importance of doing things the right way.”
They definitely understand the consequences after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver dropped the hammer on Sterling, banning him . . . FOR LIFE, and ordering him to sell the team.
Goodell could never do anything less than this if an NFL owner engages in similar conduct. The owners surely realize that, and they’d collectively be wise to consider beefing up the screening procedures to ensure that they welcome to the club people who not only have the financial wherewithal to buy the team but also the requisite character.