Roger Goodell vs. DeMaurice Smith: the NFL Vs. NFLPA–Leadership Is Key

With Friday’s decision by the NFLPA to decertify, and the NFL’s ensuing decision to move forward with a lockout, NFL Armageddon is upon us.

So many questions come to mind, mainly, could this have been avoided?

The one thing to keep in mind is that the owners opted out of the CBA in 2008. That has left almost three years to negotiate a new CBA. It seemed as if the NFL only got serious about negotiating when Judge David Doty ruled that the NFL illegally secured $4 billion from TV contracts that would have paid the owners, even during a work stoppage.

Up until the ruling by Judge Doty, the NFL possessed leverage in these negotiations. It was as if they were encouraging a lockout. Of course that isn’t something they are willing to admit. The Doty ruling however shifted leverage to the union and DeMaurice Smith played the card that was dealt to him.

Now, a full-blown public relations war is upon us; and the NFL has come out firing. Commissioner Roger Goodell, lead negotiator Jeff Pash, and the owners are accusing the NFLPA of not wanting to get a deal done or bargaining in good faith.

What this really says about both sides is the contrast in leadership. There has been much uproar within the NFL side, but the union side has remained united. Go listen to an interview with an owner or anyone from the NFL side and while things may be similar, they are stating different things about the urgency to strike a deal.

Jerry Richardson, owner of the Panthers, seems staunch in his stance that the owners will not settle unless the deal is strong for the NFL. However, Bob Kraft, owner of the Patriots, has maintained the importance of striking a deal throughout this process.

That sure sounds like differing views from the same side, doesn’t it?

Meanwhile on the NFLPA side, DeMaurice Smith has been the central figure and main spokesman in this entire process. Players will speak, but they reiterate what their leader has stated.

For years, everyone from the NFL to the NFLPA complained about the friendship of former commissioner Paul Tagliabue and former NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw. These men were close friends and that didn’t set well with either side, but in the 17 years they were in their respective leadership positions; there were zero work stoppages.

The NFL is as popular as it is today because of the partnership of these men. Free agency as we know it today began in 1993 under the watch of Tagliabue and Upshaw.

Does anyone feel like Goodell and Smith can work together? Regardless of the issue, these men need to trust one another in order to get this deal done. Quite frankly, more should have been done by both sides to develop that trust.

Let’s forget about the issues at hand and focus on the leadership. Smith was chosen because he was a successful former trial lawyer and litigation partner. So it can be said Smith did want this to hit the courts because that would play to his strength.

Goodell began as an intern with the NFL in 1982, at 23 years old. He worked in various positions throughout his career until being promoted to commissioner in 2006. His extensive background working on issues from expansion to negotiating the previous collective bargaining agreement, made him an ideal candidate.

With Goodell’s intimate knowledge of the CBA, perhaps it came as no surprise he and the owners opted out of the previous CBA which was seen as player-friendly.

 The NFL has become one of the most successful entities in the world. It is now America’s game. It is clear the NFL thinks they are so popular not even a lockout will affect their bottom line. The NFL’s self-indulgent behavior is going to cause fans to tune away from the sport.

Once this CBA is settled, whether it's a week from now, or several months, Americans are going to be forced to decide if they want to renew their Sunday Ticket subscription. With many families out of work, why would they put the NFL ahead of their actual priorities? They have in the past because of the passion they have for their teams. But how many wives will look at their husbands and ask them, “Did the NFL think of you when they voluntarily shut down?”

Goodell’s legacy hangs in the balance. The outcome of this lockout will determine if the owners think he is the right man to lead the NFL into the future.

A good leader inspires those around him. When things get tough, a good leader will put everything aside and make a decision; not wait on the decision to come to him.

There is plenty of blame to go around but no one seems to be able to rise above. The question now is how much damage has already been done? Now is the time for Roger Goodell to prove to everyone he is the right man for the NFL.

Is he up to the task?