Falcons owner Arthur Blank was quoted by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today saying some very interesting things.
Discussing the outcome of #Deflategate, Blank spoke candidly on how he felt about the dealing of the incident and whether the league should look at the power Roger Goodell has in the NFL.
“It’s not healthy for the NFL to be in the kind of litigious position that it’s been for 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.”
With that being said, Blank was hinting at something that he later spoke about.
“I don’t think they should be re-bargained in a federal court. Having said that, I think the commissioner and the ownership around the league have to be prepared to look at things, look at change and change may be appropriate. I would have rather seen it end with a positive ruling for the NFL,” Blank said. “I understand why the commissioner and the league feel as strongly as it does about trying to protect the rights that for decades have been collectively bargained. I think that is important.
As far as the specific Deflategate comments, Blank feels like the situation needs to cease, and cease quickly.
“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.”
Source: PFT