League Parallels: Roger Goodell's NFL, David Stern's NBA
Roger Goodell was voted the NFL Commissioner in 2006. During that time, he has taken the league to new heights of popularity. With new viewers in all demographics, the NFL has tailored itself through the decades to evolve into a different product than years before.
While the NFL is stronger, faster and more complicated than ever before, some changes that have happened have made some fans wonder what will be next. Some of this is due to the fact that the league is under a microscope because of the popularity in our country.
When the NBA was receiving the same acclaim in the 90s, the league also was evolving and changing to further suit the new worldwide popularity of the sport. Under David Stern, the NBA flourished behind its players, especially having the most popular athlete on the planet wearing the logo in Michael Jordan.
The rules in both leagues are making offenses harder and harder to defend. The NFL is taking some of the NBA model and incorporating it into the fabric of their sport.
Rule Changes Have Led To Offensive Production
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The new enforcement of rules in the NFL is very similar to the NBA. When the NBA tightened up on rules involving hand checking in 1995, the league-wide effects could be seen immediately with the calls. Also, the three-point line was moved closer. The offense shined under new rules and field-goal percentage increased.
With that, players scored more, teams scored more and the teams that had an elite scorer were victorious. The finesse game grew and players could score almost anywhere.
The NFL has taken those similar actions and ran with it. The NFL has grown into a league where teams with elite quarterbacks and passing attacks are the successful franchises. The quarterback, like the star on an NBA team, will get late-hit flags sometimes just for who he is. Fans constantly say that Tom Brady and Peyton Manning get more late-hit flags than others. The same could be said for Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant getting to the foul line.
Helping the offense even more, the cornerback cannot check the receiver after five yards, which has been around for a while, but it has been a gateway to other rules being scrutinized. The heavy passing attack brings hits that are much more high-impact then the I-Form rushing attack. Safeties and speedy linebackers are waiting to put big hits on receivers. The defenders have to drop back more, so naturally more collisions will occur.
In both leagues, when the offensive numbers went up, ratings and popularity went up.
It’s a direct correlation of rules being tweaked to help the offense put up big numbers. This is a good way to increase offensive production and surpass others records that were not achievable in times past. So the casual fan thinks the new era is the best era, but the eras are hard to compare due to the rule changes helping the offense. Offensive numbers are so gaudy compared to even ten years ago. The aggressiveness of both sports defensively has taken a hit and teams had to adapt.
Teams Become Poster Boys For League Change
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Ironically, there were two teams that were poster boys for the new rules in their era. When the Lakers were “Showtime” in the 80s, the Detroit Pistons came around with a bruiser like Bill Laimbeer and a tough-guy mindset. They would beat an opponent with pure physicality, which also affects a team mentally.
The Pistons won two titles with that mindset and the league was taking hits from the media. No league wants to have their championship team considered a bunch of “dirty players." Rules were put in place to take out that element in a team’s arsenal.
Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially James Harrison, are developing the same type of reputation. The increase in flags and fines across the board are examples of trying to extinguish that fiery team trying to intimidate the opposition.
Both leagues decided enough was enough and defenses would have to adjust.
Like The NBA, NFL Players Are Pleading To Refs
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Another occurrence that stems from new rules is the referee having increased power in judgment calls. Flags seem to be flying all over the field. The timing of the flags is what should be observed.
In the NBA, players plead their cases to the referees like top-notch lawyers. The players start building a rapport with referees and calls start going in their favor.
The NFL players are starting to look at the referees in the same light. Regularly, they’re looking for a flag, and sometimes get it. Everybody has seen it; whistle blows, play stops and the player throws up his hands and finally the flag flies out. Many times the umpires look confused when the sock comes out, which makes them look unprepared.
While the NBA is currently trying to lock down players arguing with referees, will the NFL get to that point where a player’s status or relationship with certain umpires gets him a questionable call?
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One October Weekend; Rules Enforced Midseason
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With the NFL umpires being under so much scrutiny, they are still trying to distinguish what they should be calling. Remember that the league didn't even get to see the changes in the preseason.
One October weekend of high-impact collisions led to refs learning on the fly during important season-changing plays. Umpires were briefed an expected to perform the next week.
Certain controversial plays hold the team’s success in the balance. The league felt it had to be done, so they really didn't not have another option.
Athletes Are Celebrities More Than Ever
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Never before has the country collectively put athletes at celebrity status from reality shows to being the top story on CNN or TMZ. The headlines are splattered with stories about athletes more than ever. The publicity will only continue to grow as the sport grows. From MTV to VH1, athletes has made their mark.
The media is running at a frenetic pace and even small rumors cultivate an athlete’s popularity, which leads to advertising contracts. It is a win-win situation for both parties, but reputations of players are harder to change in this landscape.
The NFL and NBA have used this media to their advantage. Even though players are fined if using social media during a game, of a large number players are posting constantly before and after games.
Players, teams, and the league itself gets more exposure with every status update.
...Then You Get The Power
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Roger Goodell and David Stern have dictator-like power in certain circumstances to change things, while in baseball the players association would laugh at some of the changes and fines handed out without any repercussions and arbitration.
About five years ago, David Stern became sheriff of the fashion police when a dress code was put in place. When the media came down on the “thuggery” of their players, rules were changed and fines were levied immediately.
Nothing was hashed out with the players association first because Stern had that much leverage. When something goes awry, both leagues jump in face first.
The NFL and NBA are the most popular sports of the major three. Both leagues have been very progressive in the steps taken to evolve to their consumer’s demands. While the NBA gripped viewers in the 1990s, the NFL is taking viewers who have never watched sports and turning them into football fanatics in this era.
Roger Goodell and David Stern are the best commissioners ever in their respected sport, and it is because of the power they have.
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