Roger Goodell Declines NBC Interview Before 2015 Super Bowl

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did not make himself available for an interview on NBC just hours before the start of Super Bowl XLIX.

NBC's Bob Costas verified the news, via Neil Best of Newsday:

The report comes on the heels of Goodell touting his accessibility to the media during his annual Super Bowl press conference Friday, via Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN:

It's been a tough year for Goodell. He has come under fire for the league's handling of domestic abuse incidents involving NFL players, the Adrian Peterson case and the long delay in announcing a punishment for Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay after he was arrested and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of DUI. Those are just a few of the numerous issues that cropped up throughout the year between Goodell and the players.   

Some might argue that Goodell avoiding an interview before the Super Bowl is somewhat hypocritical given how the league has heavily fined Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch this season for not speaking to the media. Many journalists also panned Goodell's comments about being available to the media on a regular basis, claiming multiple interview requests were denied over the year.

Others, however, will argue that Goodell's State of the Union-type address to the media on the Friday before Super Bowl XLIX fulfilled those duties.

Either way, after Sunday's events, Goodell's reign as NFL commissioner will continue to divide fans, journalists and players heading into next season.