Is Roger Goodell Good For the NFL?

[SmootSmack]

So I take it you're saying the other suspensions have been bad for the NFL? And let's say Landry being suspended means the Eagles win the division and they get homefield advantage (you think Eagles' fans will be upset with Goodell?, and then w/o Landry we lose in the first round to the Falcons. You think Falcons fans will be upset?

[rbanerjee23]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

So I take it you're saying the other suspensions have been bad for the NFL? And let's say Landry being suspended means the Eagles win the division and they get homefield advantage (you think Eagles' fans will be upset with Goodell?, and then w/o Landry we lose in the first round to the Falcons. You think Falcons fans will be upset?

I'm saying that its a lot more subjective than at first glance -- NFL fans are far from perfectly rational beings. Even if the suspensions and rules are good for the NFL in the bigger scheme of things, most negative feelings about rule changes, suspensions etc. are going to be directed towards Goodell who, for better or worse, is the face of the authoritative body of the league. When fans have a problem with a suspension, they are going to be mad at Goodell and feel that their team is being unfairly targeted, as would other fans in that situation. My personal belief is that increased negativity towards the commissioner is bad for the NFL. Do you honestly believe that fans feeling bad towards the commisioner is one city is perfectly balanced out by fans feeling good in another city?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by rbanerjee23

I'm saying that its a lot more subjective than at first glance -- NFL fans are far from perfectly rational beings. Even if the suspensions and rules are good for the NFL in the bigger scheme of things, most negative feelings about rule changes, suspensions etc. are going to be directed towards Goodell who, for better or worse, is the face of the authoritative body of the league. When fans have a problem with a suspension, they are going to be mad at Goodell and feel that their team is being unfairly targeted, as would other fans in that situation. My personal belief is that increased negativity towards the commissioner is bad for the NFL. Do you honestly believe that fans feeling bad towards the commisioner is one city is perfectly balanced out by fans feeling good in another city?

I don't think it's a zero-sum game. No. But I also don't think that what fans think really should matter in this case.

[rbanerjee23]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I don't think it's a zero-sum game. No. But I also don't think that what fans think really should matter in this case.

Oh man, I don't want to get into a philosophical argument about whether it should matter -- for better or worse, I think it ultimately does.