FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
September 13, 2007
Sports: Goodell Faces Tough Decision On Patriots
In my last post, I praised the NFL for providing fans with the best possible product. One week later, it seems that I may need to revise that statement. If the New England Patriots really cheated, the fallout might be worse than you think.
As ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported yesterday, “NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has determined that the New England Patriots violated league rules Sunday when they videotaped defensive signals by the New York Jets’ coaches.”
While league officials deny that a decision has been made, expect Mortensen’s reports to be confirmed, as he is extremely credible. New England head coach Bill Belichick issued a vague apology yesterday, suggesting an admission of guilt. Sports Business Daily is now reporting that the league will announce its ruling by this Sunday.
If that’s the case, then Goodell faces a very tough decision this weekend. It will be interesting to see how the second-year commissioner, already known for taking a hard stance on player misconduct, treats a potentially explosive situation involving one of the most high-profile teams in the league.
New England backers have been quick to defend and deflect. They say that other teams are doing it too, and point to individual players that have been caught breaking the rules. Sorry, Bill Simmons, but Shawne Merriman’s positive test for steroids last year doesn’t give the Pats a free pass. This isn’t just gaining a competitive advantage -- it’s insider trading. It's knowing, through illegal means (not Belichick’s genius), the actions of another party before they take them and using that information to your advantage. Like steroids, it calls into question the legitimacy of what happens on the field. And, while Merriman is only one player, this is tantamount to an entirely juiced team.
Clearly, I believe that Belichick and the Patriots deserve to be punished. However, I also believe that Goodell will be walking a fine line when he makes his decision. Long-term suspensions for individual players including Pacman Jones, Chris Henry, and Tank Johnson have generally been viewed as positive steps toward cleaning up the sport. But if Goodell punishes the Patriots severely, the fans will notice. More people will start thinking like me -- whether I’m right or not. It doesn’t seem now like fans will ever leave the NFL, but many will if they start doubting the quality of the product. Just ask the MLB.
On the other hand, Goodell could give the Patriots a slap on the wrist and sweep the scandal under the rug. If that happens, it’s likely the fans will too. As long as it doesn’t happen again, we’ll forget and move on.
The question Goodell faces is: Which one is better for the NFL?
Posted by Matthew Finkelstein at September 13, 2007 12:08 PM | Category: sports |
5 Comments
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Seeing that the Pats earned all those rings not too long ago, this makes you wonder whether they've been cheating all along. That's enough to distrust the quality of the product a great deal.
Good observation, comparing the Patriot "scandal" with insider trading. The Patriot issue is bigger than the normal single player transgressions; it is systematic, planned cheating sanctioned at high levels of the team's organization, apprently promoted and sanctioned by the Head Coach. (Did the owner, Mr. Kraft, know his team was cheating in this manner?
There is one thing that Mr. Finkelstein wrote that I do not understand -- he implies that MLB has seen a decrease in fan interest -- and fan spending -- because of recent scandals. However, I believe that total attendance at the nation's MLB ballparks actually will break a record this year. So, maybe scandals don't hurt the bottom line afterall.
Nevertheless, in the long run, cheating will definitely harm, and could destroy, an organization -- but the question becomes how long is the long run?
MLB has enjoyed record local interest in the form of ballpark attendance and local TV ratings. However, when compared with the NFL, it's national stature, as measured by national television ratings and rights fees, has plummeted over the years. Maybe this proves that cheating is OK as long as it's your own cheat--see San Francisco's love affair with Barry Bonds.
Thank you for pointing out this year's MLB attendance. Despite the good numbers, it's hard to deny that some fans have been put off by the scandal. In addition, I am always wary of such statistics - as evidenced by this week's Marlins vs. Nationals series in Florida. Although barely 3,000 fans turned out for all three games combined, the attendance was announced at over 10,000 during each game.
In the end, I'm glad the Pats were punished, but I would have liked to see either a suspension for Belichick, a heavier fine for the organization, or both.
Cheating in sports used to be taboo. Now you only get your hand slapped?
Why weren't they forced to forfeit the game and ruled ineligble for the post-season? If this had happened in the NCAA, that is probably what would have happened.