Why It's Time for Raider Nation To Sue ESPN for Defamation

Here's the deal. 

Roger Goodell has unfairly suspended black players in the NFL in recent years.  The thing is that, the Players Union could not do anything about it, because they agreed to give the NFL Commissioner that power in the Collective Bargaining agreement.

With various people calling for the suspension of Raiders coach Tom Cable such as the National Organization for Women, it has made me wonder something.  Cable is a coach, not a player.  NFL coaches are not bound by collective bargaining agreements.

When did NFL coaches agree to give that power to the NFL Commissioner?

What I don't understand is this, why didn't NOW call for the suspension of Shawne Merriman after he was accused of assaulting a woman?  Why didn't NOW call for the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger for charges of rape?

NOW says that boys and girls look to athletes as role models.  NOW must think that Roethlisberger and Merriman are role-models, because NOW has said nothing about them.

Back to the earlier question.  Most people have agreed that Goodell has been excessive in using suspensions against mostly black players, but say, it's too bad because players gave him that power.

That though would not apply to a coach, whom are employees of the franchise located in the respective state.

We have seen from the case of Pat Williams and Kevin Williams that state laws can factor-in to whether the NFL suspends a player.  Thus, if even players can wiggle free from the NFL rules, it is only reasonable to believe that a coach and NFL franchise could do the same if not more.

Raiders owner Al Davis, whom has a record of anti-trust suits against the NFL, could theoretically have a new one in play if Roger Goodell tries to suspend Cable, based on the fact that Cable has not been convicted of anything, while the Napa County DA refused to prosecute charges against Cable.

What gives Goodell the power to interfere with the internal workplace issues of non-players?  Cable was hired by Al Davis, not Goodell.  Thus, Davis could once again argue that an NFL franchise is an independent entity within an umbrella organization.

The NFL argues that an NFL team cannot compete against itself.  But, what if that NFL team decided to schedule games outside the NFL, against say, the CFL, UFL, college teams or independent exhibitions to promote its fanbase in other countries by competing against local clubs?

That is what football was like before the formation of the NFL in the 1920s.

Thus, Goodell would in effect be undermining the Judicial System.

I would also say that if Goodell tries to suspend Cable, that the Raiders should pursue a defamation law-suit against ESPN. 

And that we, Raider Nation, should seek a class-action suit for defamation by ESPN, unless they can prove the veracity of these claims that the Justice system of this country refused to prosecute.

And we have Jay Mariotti to thank for admitting that he and likely ESPN does not investigate stories about the Raiders, they maliciously report gossip, no matter how detrimental it is.

Yet, idiots believe that an "air" of bad behavior must mean there's something to it.  Just ask Rubin Carter, wrongly convicted of triple-murder because he had a record of questionable behavior.

Thus, this is a call to Raider Nation.  If you know any lawyers that would be interested in filing a class-action suit (particularly season-ticket holders) against ESPN for defamation, in any event that Cable is suspended, then please contact that lawyer, or find one.

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