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Nfl Analysis

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Tale of the Tapes: NFL’s Power Struggle Introduction The multi-billion dollar industry that is the National Football League (NFL), is on the losing side of the constant Tug-of-War between self-interest and mutuality of interest. For decades, the NFL’s only concern was ensuring high revenue and return of profit with little social responsibility. Due to social media and viral videos, however, social responsibility has become a focal point in mass media. Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the NFL, knows this all too well. His undefined authorities overseeing the NFL, particularly pertaining to player “conduct issues”, currently have him under fire. Recently dubbed “The Enforcer” in 2012 by Time Magazine, Roger Goodell has been praised for his …show more content…

In the beginning of the NFL, players were only punished for violating gambling policies. Paul Tagliabue’s, Roger Goodell’s predecessor, tenure as commissioner resulted rare suspension for off-field issues. The NFL policies and discipline have only recently changed to a coercive and legitimate power governed by the reigning NFL commissioner. Since the start of Roger Goodell’s reign, discipline for off-field conduct has dramatically risen. Goodell has strengthened his resolve by implementing an unprecedented personal conduct policy in 2007, to be followed throughout the …show more content…

Many have attributed this to the pursuit of his own, personal interests, therefore conforming within the Individual Level of the Three Levels of Political Action. Being that he is the commissioner, we would expect there to be a heavier concentration on the coalition level which is a cooperative group pursuit to a specified solution of a specific issue. As mentioned previously, Goodell is receiving negative backlash due to the fact that he continues to suggest that disciplinary control should remain under his personal control. Looking at the Degrees of Empowerment, we can see the early progression of Goodell’s power. At the time of Rice’s first punishment, Goodell maintained an Authoritarian power over the league, as he imposed the decision he saw fit at the time, uncontested. Only after criticism from the public did we see his Authoritarian power develop into the Influence sharing stage. At this time, he knew he would have to change the punishment in order to avoid backlash. This stage progressed to Power sharing after Goodell appointed Tagliabue. At this point, Goodell was sharing his power with

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