Roger Goodell addresses Washington Commanders sale, TNF flexing at NFL's annual league meeting
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PHOENIX ā The 2023 NFL annual league meeting is in the books after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell concluded the event with a press conference at the McArthur Ballroom inside the Arizona Biltmore.
Goodell answered questions on a myriad of topics ranging from the NFL rule changes, scheduling, the sale and investigation of the Washington Commanders and more.
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USA TODAY Sports has the main takeaways from Roger Goodell press conference at the Annual League Meeting:
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Flexing Thursday night games
The NFL voted and approved teams to play two games on short weeks, but tabled the vote on flexing "Thursday Night Football" games in 2023. Several players expressed their displeasure on social media about playing multiple condensed weeks in a regular season, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
āWe have always been looking at the data with respect to injuries and the impact on players. Thatās what drove our decisions throughout the first 12 or so years of 'Thursday Night Football' and how itās evolved. I think we have data thatās very clear, it doesnāt show a higher injury rate. But we recognize the shorter week,ā Goodell said. āWe work very closely on that.ā
Goodell went on to say that he hears that some players actually like playing on Thursday night because of the additional days off in between regular season games.
āIn fact, they call it a mini-bye (week),ā Goodell said. āYou have different views. You want to consider all of them.ā
Giants John Mara called flexing Thursday night games āabusiveā according to the NFL Network.
Washington Commanders sale is 'ongoing' while investigation continues
Two groups have reportedly bid $6 billion for the Commanders.
The process of selling the Commanders is running concurrently with Mary Jo Whiteās investigation of owner Dan Snyder for the teamās toxic workplace and financial improprieties.
āThey are both ongoing processes. The Washington Commanders are obviously the oneās conducting the process on the sale,ā Goodell said. āWhen there is a transaction, they will notify us and we will proceed on that one.ā
The commissioner also revealed that White gave a brief update about the investigation and said sheās in the āmiddle of her processā but didnāt provide more details.
The commissioner reiterated that the NFL will make Whiteās findings public once the investigation is complete. The potential sale of the Commanders will not impact the release of Whiteās report, according to Goodell.
Jim Trotter's contract not renewed by NFL Media
Trotter announced on social media this week that his contract was not renewed by the NFL. The acclaimed NFL columnist questioned Goodell at the past two Super Bowls about the hiring practices at NFL Network, part of the league's media operation.
āI wasnāt a part of that decision,ā Goodell said of the NFLās decision not to renew Trotterās contract.
Goodell then claimed said Trotterās outspoken disapproval questioning of the leagueās hiring practices had nothing to do with his loss of employment.
āNo, I donāt believe that had anything to do with it,ā Goodell said.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.