Commissioner Roger Goodell meets the press

To read the Q&A, click on the "full entry" link below.

What was the impetus for you to come out here?
“I try to get around to every stadium every couple of years and I haven’t been out here yet. This was a game that we had picked a couple months ago and I’m glad I’m here.”

What is your impression of the facility and the area here in Oakland? It is one of the older stadiums in the league.
“It is and we’ve been meeting with a lot of people today about how to address that from a long-term standpoint. It’s clear, and I think that everyone accepts it, that something has to get done here with a new stadium at some point. I’ve had a chance to talk to some of the leadership about how we can help that in that process. There are a lot of passionate fans here, that’s clear from talking to the fans.”

Two teams in New York agreed on a stadium. Is there any chance these two teams here – the 49ers and Raiders -- could agree and build a common stadium?
“That is complicated in a lot of factors. The teams have to come together, the communities have to come together, and say ‘this is the best way to get something done.’ I don’t know if that’s the best solution here or not. That is something that I think needs dialogue and everyone is going to have to evaluate that as one alternative to the long-term solution.”

What is the challenge in getting their G-3 refund now that the credit crunch is here and it is more difficult to gain financing?
“There are a couple things. The G-3 program expired just over a year ago. That funding is not available right now. Clearly in this economic environment, it makes building anything more challenging. We obviously, as you know, we have issues on the labor side. We’re trying to look at our labor costs and the increased risks that come with building stadiums like this. We’re probably building a stadium in New York that is going to be about $1.8 billion.”

Are you, in the NFL, seeing an impact of the economy?
“Unfortunately, earlier this week, we advised our people that we’re laying off 150 people. We’re seeing it on a variety of levels, we’re seeing it with our sponsors, our partners, our broadcast partners; clearly our fans are being faced with less disposable income. There is a lot of fear out there. We tried to respond to that, in large part, by reducing our playoff ticket prices. We think that’s responsive and we want our fans to know we understand what they’re going through.”

Are you concerned with the level of competitiveness with the Raiders over the last six years? Does that fall anywhere within your jurisdiction?
“Not individually, no. Competitiveness, we have a very competitive league. I think the Dolphins showed how fast you can turn a franchise around. The Atlanta Falcons have showed how fast you can turn a franchise around. This franchise has been competitive for decades.”

Could you envision stepping in with a team as far as competitiveness, talking to them about how to get the team going again?
“I have enough things to do [laughs]. I work for 32 teams, I can’t work for one. I’m not sure I’d be much help, by the way.”

How important is it for the Raiders to remain here in Oakland, as they have their lease coming up in a few years?
“I think it’s important for all of our teams to stay in our communities. It’s something we’ve focused on an awful lot over the last 10-15 years in trying to make sure we create an environment where the team can be successful, the community can be successful, and together they can create a partnership that is going to do great things for the fans and the community.”

Did you meet with Al Davis?
“Yes, I did.”

How would you characterize the relationship between the league office and this franchise?
“I think it’s better than it’s been in many, many years. I think we’re working together on issues. I think we’re trying to do things that will benefit the NFL and the Raiders together, the communities that we both represent.”

What are the league’s longer-term plans in China; there was supposed to be a preseason game there with the Patriots and it was pushed back and now it looks like it has been suspended indefinitely?
“We made a conscious decision that we weren’t going to go before the Olympics because of a variety of reasons. We’re still evaluating that. I just met with our people last week. We’ve done a lot in London, in the UK, in Canada, and we’re looking at Mexico. Clearly, China is an important market for us. We just hired a new international director who is making that evaluation and will come back to us with some recommendations. We have not turned our back on that market. It’s an important market.”

What about the market in L.A. Have you thought about that?
“Yes [laughs].”

Do you want that occupied and how critical is that to have it occupied?
“The reality is that the NFL is going to do great without Los Angeles and Los Angeles is going to do great without the NFL. My thought has always been ‘together we can do better.’ I think we’re having good dialogue with the people there, trying to create an opportunity that is good for the community and good for the NFL. I think it would be great to be back there. We know we have millions of fans in that market and we would love to be back there, but it has to be back in a way that is good for the community and the NFL.”

Can you share anything that came out of your meeting with Al Davis?
“No. It’s nothing significant. We talked about a variety of different issues. I don’t mean it was that secretive.”

You can’t comment on anything?
“We had a good dialogue about a variety of things that are happening in the league and that’s part of what I do when I go to markets – I want to hear from owners, I want to hear from club people, I want to hear from the fans, I want to hear from the media.”

How important is Al Davis to how the league works with labor issues?
“I think he’s very valuable to us because he’s been through this. He’s seen it from a variety of different perspectives, as a coach, as a commissioner, as an owner. I think he has a very good sense of the game of football, and what’s necessary to make sure the game stays competitive. He’s been helpful to us.”

The 49ers are counting on some NFL help in building their stadium. Is the money going to be there?
“That’s what we have to address as a league, and certainly with our players association. The [G-3] program was very successful, got a lot of stadiums built, but it has to be done in a way that makes sense for the collective 32 teams, and that’s what we’re going back and evaluating.”

Are you concerned that either the Raiders or 49ers might go to L.A.?
“No, we’re worried about the California market in general. If you look at our stadium situation -- San Diego is trying to address their stadium situation, San Francisco, the Oakland Raiders. I think, collectively, we have to try to address these matters at the statewide level as well as in the local community.”