Report: NFL owners may change Goodell's disciplinary role

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Was the federal court decision vacating Tom Brady's four-game suspension the last straw for NFL owners allowing Commissioner Roger Goodell to dispense discipline to the league's players?

According to a Washington Post report, NFL owners will discuss changing Goodell's role in the player disciplinary process.

There's no timetable for the discussions, the Post reports. NFL owners aren't scheduled to meet as a group until October.

More from the Post report:

Although it’s uncertain whether Goodell’s authority would be reduced, the decision to reevaluate his role resolving appeals is the first solid sign the outcome of Tom Brady’s court case could have a lasting and significant impact on his position.

 

“There will certainly be discussion about that,” one owner said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic. The owner said he is “not sure where it will lead.”

Another person familiar with the league’s inner workings said Friday it is too soon to know whether enough owners favor such a change for the NFL to engage the players’ union in discussions about possible modifications to the disciplinary process. The players union has been pushing for a neutral arbitrator to hear appeals in matters of player discipline, replacing Goodell, who currently occupies that role.

“It will be interesting to see,” the person said.

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