NFL owners will discuss changing Roger Goodell's role in disciplining players

Following Thursday's news that Judge Richard Berman had overturned Tom Brady's 4-game suspension for his involvement in Deflategate, NFL owners are reportedly planning to discuss changing the role commissioner Roger Goodell has in the league's disciplinary process. The Washington Post first reported the story.

As part of the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' association (NFLPA), Goodell currently has the authority to resolve all disciplinary cases involving the "integrity of the sport" and personal conduct policy. However, the NFLPA's victories over Goodell in the cases of Brady, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Greg Hardy seem to have owners considering curbing his authority.

From WaPo:

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."

At least one owner has already spoken out publicly against Goodell. Arthur Blank, the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, went on the record yesterday in favor of limiting the commissioner's power. He told the Atlantic Journal-Constitution:

"It's not healthy for the NFL to be in the kind of litigious position that it's been for the last several years," Blank said. "I think that the commissioner is working hard to hold up the respect and integrity of the game, the competitive balance of the game and the shield. Having said that, I think we have to find ways to get to a better place sooner with the NFLPA than the process that we've gone through."

"This Deflategate thing which isn't about Deflategate any longer, it's about what has been collectively negotiated for decades in terms of the commissioner's responsibility in terms of disciplining players," Blank said. "If we have to look at that differently in today's light, in today's environment, as an ownership group we should be prepared to do that. The commissioner should be prepared to do that."

Although Goodell's popularity may be waning, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell it would cost owners a whopping $150 million to buy out it his contract, which ends in 2019.