Roger Goodell: NFL to fight Sunday Ticket ruling; open to private equity ownership
Thu Jul 11 4:19pm ET
Field Level Media
Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL plan a renewed fight in a court ruling over the league Sunday Ticket plan that could result in a damages toll over $14 billion.
Goodell underscored the path to further litigation the NFL plans to take in response to the class-action verdict from a Los Angeles jury ordering payment from the NFL of $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and another $96 million to the commercial class, siding against the league on accusations the NFL violated antitrust laws by making out-of-market Sunday afternoon games available for distribution through the "Sunday Ticket" subscription.
Damages triple under federal antitrust laws, meaning the ruling could cost the NFL nearly a full year of reported profits: $14.39 billion.
"We obviously disagree with the jury verdict. It's a long process and we're aware of that. But we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media," Goodell told CNBC in an interview Thursday at the Sun Valley Conference. "We make our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a complementary product. We're committed to following the litigation all the way and making sure that we get this right."
Goodell was asked if he took notice of the NBA media rights deal, which reportedly jumped nearly $50 billion to $76 billion with primetime games available seven nights per week at the end of the NFL regular season.
"Probably a lot of people in the NFL think they're underpaid. But, we have great relationships with our networks," Goodell said.
He also opened the door to private equity ownership in the NFL's 32 franchises, furthering a discussion he admitted took place in 2023 at the height of the PGA-LIV Golf controversy and financing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Based on "tremendous interest" Goodell said the NFL believes allowing private equity ownership could "make sense in a limited fashion."
"We believe that this could make sense for us in a limited fashion, probably no more than 10 percent of a team," he said.
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The Paur Report
San Francisco 49ers DT Maliek Collins (knee), DE Leonard Floyd (non-injury), PK Jake Moody (ankle), OT Trent Williams (non-injury) and PK Matthew Wright (back, shoulder) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. DT Jordan Elliott (knee), CB Darrell Luter Jr. (pelvis) and S Malik Mustapha (ankle) were limited during practice. LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), WR Ricky Pearsall (chest) and CB Charvarius Ward (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), LB Tommy Eichenberg (quadriceps), LB Kana'i Mauga (knee), OT Kolton Miller (knee, shoulder), OG Dylan Parham (foot), DT John Jenkins (illness) and CB Jack Jones (illness) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. DT Adam Butler (knee), WR Tyreik McAllister (shoulder), OT Thayer Munford (ankle, knee) and OG Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Fantasy Spin: The team was hoping Kupp could return for the Week 7 game, and he seems to have a decent chance to play. Fantasy players will need to monitor the situation because he is a weekly starting option in all leagues when healthy.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram (hamstring) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Fantasy Spin: Engram returned to the lineup last week and posted over 100 yards during the game. He is a big part of the passing game when healthy and can be a No. 1 fantasy tight end.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars DE Arik Armstead (shoulder) and CB Tyson Campbell (hamstring) were limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. OT Anton Harrison (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins (non-injury) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Fantasy Spin: Hopkins is coming off one of his better games of the season last week but still has posted at least 50 yards on only two of the five games this season. He will see some targets in Week 7 but is only a possible flex option in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, but he said he hopes to return to practice on Thursday. Jones said he felt his right hip bothering him before the Week 5 win over the New York Jets in London and it flared up on him during the game. Since then (the Vikings had a bye in Week 6), he's been receiving around-the-clock treatment and seems to be in good spirits as the team prepares for a Week 7 divisional showdown against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. The 29-year-old should be considered questionable for this weekend after being pulled from the London game with his hip injury, and now he's being listed with a hamstring ailment. With Jones injured, Minnesota traded for Cam Akers on Tuesday. Both Akers and Ty Chandler could split the backfield if Jones isn't cleared for Week 7.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (ankle) is not practicing yet despite being eligible to return to practice while on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. "I think he's getting closer," head coach Matt LaFleur said. When asked if Lloyd would return to practice next week, LaFleur said, "We'll see." Lloyd made his NFL debut in the Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts and carried the ball six times for 15 yards while catching his only target for a three-yard gain. He's been on IR ever since. The 23-year-old has battle multiple injuries early in his NFL career, but he still has the potential to become the direct backup to Josh Jacobs in Green Bay before the end of the year. With a return date up in the air, Lloyd is only worth stashing for now in really deep-mixed and dynasty/keeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (ribs) did not take part in practice on Wednesday due to a ribs injury. However, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that it doesn't sound like there's much concern over Harris' status as the team prepares to take on the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. Harris typically gets a rest day during the first practice of the week. As long as the 26-year-old is able to return to a limited session on Thursday, he should be on track to play this weekend as Pittsburgh's lead back. If Harris were to be out or limited at all on Sunday evening, though, Jaylen Warren would see his biggest workload of 2024. On his 96 rushing attempts through six games, Harris has 376 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and only one touchdown to make him the RB22 in half-PPR scoring. A move to Russell Wilson at QB for the Steelers could be good news for Harris' fantasy upside.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Mason suffered an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder during last week's win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in the first half. The 25-year-old attempted to return to the game to begin the second half but came out after one carry and never re-entered. The fact that he's practicing at all is a good thing, but it doesn't guarantee he'll be active for Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. With Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) still on Injured Reserve, Mason has been a must-start RB1 in all fantasy leagues to this point. Rookie Isaac Guerendo was a popular waiver-wire pickup this week after going for 99 rushing yards on 10 carries after Mason left last week. He'll be a plug-and-play option at RB if Mason is out this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks OT Stone Forsythe (hand), OG Anthony Bradford (toe), CB Tre Brown (ankle), CB Riq Woolen (ankle) and WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. C Connor Williams (chest), LB Boye Mafe (knee), DT Byron Murphy II (hamstring), DE Leonard Williams (knee) and S Jerrick Reed (knee) were limited during practice. S Julian Love (hamstring, quadriceps) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) was limited during practice Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Fantasy Spin: Mixon returned to the lineup last week and posted two touchdowns. He should see plenty of touches if he plays this week and should be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), DT Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder), LB Henry To'oTo'o (concussion), S Jimmie Ward (groin) and WR Robert Woods (foot) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. LB Del'Shawn Phillips (hip) and OT Laremy Tunsil (ankle) were limited during practice.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye (knee) was able to put in a full practice on Wednesday after banging up his knee in his first career start in the Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans, but he went for an MRI exam after practice. It's something to watch for fantasy managers in superflex, two-QB leagues as the Patriots prepare to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this Sunday. In the 22-year-old's first NFL start, he went 20-for-33 for 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, adding five carries for 38 yards and a lost fumble. It obviously was an up-and-down performance, but Maye certainly gives fantasy managers in two-QB leagues much more upside than Jacoby Brissett. And in a fantastic Week 7 matchup against the one-win Jags, Maye will definitely have some QB2 upside if he's able to suit up.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if Jones is in danger of missing the Week 7 game. He is a weekly starting option when healthy, but fantasy players will need a backup plan ready in case he is ruled out.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings LB Blake Cashman (toe), CB Akayleb Evans (hip), DE Patrick Jones II (shoulder) and DT Harrison Phillips (shoulder) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. OG Dalton Risner (back) was limited during practice, while S Theo Jackson (hand) and TE Josh Oliver (wrist) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns running back D'Onta Foreman (groin) was able to practice on a limited basis in the first session of the week on Wednesday. Foreman led Cleveland in touches out of the backfield in the Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles after Jerome Ford (hamstring) suffered an injury just four snaps into the game. The 28-year-old managed 47 scrimmage yards on 12 touches (10 carries, two catches). In addition to Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr. saw 10 touches and went for 78 total yards. The Browns' backfield should be considered very fluid right now, with Ford potentially missing Week 7 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, while Nick Chubb (knee) could be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform to make his season debut on Sunday. Chubb has the most fantasy upside of any of these names, but it might take him a while to get going.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers OG Elgton Jenkins (knee), DE Colby Wooden (knee) and DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. CB Jaire Alexander (groin), DT Kenny Clark (toe) and C Josh Myers (beck) were limited during practice. DE Jonathan Ford (calf) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (concussion) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Tremble missed the Panthers' Week 6 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to his injury. His limited participation in practice this early in the week suggests that he is progressing well through the NFL's concussion protocol. Tremble has been virtually irrelevant for fantasy in 2024. In four games played this season, he only has seven receptions for 59 yards and a fumble lost. The Carolina Panthers offense has focused more on the wide receivers and running back Chuba Hubbard (rest). Even if Tremble suits up this weekend, leave him on the waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) was able to put in a full practice on Wednesday, signaling that he has a good chance at making his 2024 debut this Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Jerome Ford (hamstring), who was injured in the Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, was a DNP on Wednesday, while D'Onta Foreman (groin) was limited. The Browns still must activate Chubb from the Physically Unable to Perform list before he's eligible to play, but that could be coming later this week as long as he doesn't suffer a setback on Thursday or Friday. The 28-year-old required two surgeries for a serious left-knee injury he suffered in Week 2 last year, so fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his productivity and workload right away. If Chubb plays this weekend, he'll be a risky RB3/flex, at best, for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
