Roger Goodell: Owners spent five hours discussing domestic violence
NFL owners spent the majority of their meetings Wednesday discussing domestic violence issues, Roger Goodell told the media after the meetings adjourned.
The owners were shown a 40-minute presentation on domestic violence and spent five hours discussing issues related to the topic, Goodell said.
They also discussed potential changes to the way players are punished for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Possibilities included the option to place players on paid leave while they wait for the legal process to play out, and altering Goodell's role as the sole decision maker in the disciplinary process. Goodell said the league had been having internal discussions about his disciplinary role for "over a year."
• Pegulas' purchase of Bills officially approved by NFL owners
The meetings were the first time Goodell addressed the owners since the release of the second Ray Rice video. Goodell was asked if the owners questioned his handling of the case or expressed any concerns. "I was very open with [the owners] about where we failed," Goodell said.
The meetings began with the unanimous approval of new Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula. Goodell said he was "enthusiastic about their ownership" and called their purchase of the franchise "a great outcome for Western New York, Bills fans, and the NFL."
Before being purchased by the Pegulas, the Bills were rumored to be mulling a move to Los Angeles. A report Sunday from ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio said the Rams, Raiders and Chargers could move to L.A. in the next two years.
• Report: Dodger Stadium could be next home for NFL team in LA
When asked about the possibility of an NFL franchise in Los Angeles, Goodell said only that the league continued to explore the possibility.
- Dan Gartland
