On the same day the transcripts from Ray Rice’s appeal hearing were released, showing what legal experts refer to as discrepancies in Roger Goodell’s account of the Rice suspension, the league released it’s new, improved and reportedly “tougher” conduct policy for players. The policy passed by owners Wednesday morning will take effect immediately and then will probably be changed again at Goodell’s whim, if he doesn’t get fired first.
The biggest change in the policy is the use of independent investigators to look into individual issues of conduct and discipline. The NFL will hire a new special counsel for investigations and conduct. The new policy will also allow players to still receive pay as they are being investigated for violent crimes. Reportedly, the NFL Commissioner will have a more limited role in the appeals process, but can also appoint an independent panel to decide the appeal.
The new policy also calls for the formation of a nine-owner committee to oversee it. Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell will serve as chairman of the first committee, with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, Texans owner Bob McNair, Cowboys executive vice president Charlotte Jones Anderson and Bears owner George McCaskey. That group will be capped off by two former players with ownership stakes, Warrick Dunn from the Falcons and John Stallworth from the Steelers.
The NFL did not work with the NFL Players Association in devising the new rules and that’s already caused an issue. NFLPA Director of External Affais George Attalah took to Twitter to complain Wednesday. There’s a chance the players’ union could consider it a violation of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement.
There will be a lot of analysis about the differences in our formal proposal and what the NFL will present today on personal conduct policy.
— George Atallah (@GeorgeAtallah) diciembre 10, 2014
We expected today’s vote by the NFL owners from before Thanksgiving. Our union has not seen their new policy.
— George Atallah (@GeorgeAtallah) diciembre 10, 2014
Sadly, those discussions will be through the media, not through formal negotiations, which the NFL has said they’re not interested in.
— George Atallah (@GeorgeAtallah) diciembre 10, 2014
