From NFL Media.com
COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL WITH CBS NFL TODAY PREGAME SHOW
SEPTEMBER 10, 2006
James Brown: We are thrilled to be joined by the new man in charge of the NFL, Roger Goodell.
Dan Marino: Before we get started, real quick: We go back a little ways, and I figured I have to go to the top guy. The
Super Bowl’s in Miami, I’m going to need some tickets and some favors down there. It’s going to be a big game for us in Miami. Also, If you need a place to stay or anything you’re always welcome to stay with me.
Roger Goodell: I thought we were going to come to you for tickets.
J.B.: We heard you talk a number of times about the unparalleled success of the league as the number one sport in
America. You’re a big technology guy, and you want to improve the game. What in the world can you improve on the
field?
Goodell: J.B., the most important thing is that we are not satisfied with our leadership position, and we keep trying to
find ways to improve the game and make sure that we find new ways in delivering football to our fans.
J.B.: Is there a number one area that you would consider in terms of technology on the field?
Goodell: I think one of the things that would be key for us is trying to find a better communication system between the
players. So let the quarterback be able to come up and call his audible at the line of scrimmage and allow our players
to play at the highest possible level. I think that is important as we go into some of these very noisy stadiums, which is
a great benefit for the home team but you don’t want to penalize the visiting team.
Boomer Esiason: You talk about leadership. The NFL was a leader back in the early ‘90s. I remember and Dan, I
think; we can all speak to this how you guys really combated the steroids, with testing and the NFLPA went right
along with you. Now the drug of choice seems to be human growth hormone. What is in the future of that and will the
NFL test for that?
Goodell: We don’t know if it’s the drug of choice. It’s really an issue that goes well beyond sports also. It’s a drug that
is being used by a lot of people because they want to try to feel younger. We’re not sure about its performance
benefits but the most important thing for us in keeping our leadership position is to make sure we do develop a test,
and there is no known test right now to be able to detect HGH. So we’re working hard with our experts to be able to
develop that kind of a test so that we can make sure that we do everything to protect the safety and health of our
players.
Shannon Sharpe: We all know how important it is to the NFL to have a team or teams in the LA market. What makes
you think now that the LA market is ready for a team or teams when they haven’t been ready in the past?
Goodell: Well, Shannon, I think we’ve got millions of fans in southern California who are dying to have NFL football
back. Our challenge is to try to do it correctly. We want to make sure when we come back it’s a great success and
that’s what the people of southern California are looking for. That’s why we’re working with all of the public authorities
and all of the leadership in the private sector to figure a way to do it correctly.
J.B.: One of the teams mentioned prominently, in that context, are the New Orleans Saints, who by the way, are a
feel-good story. Season ticket sales at an all-time high but we know that corporate support is key to success there.
How long will you give New Orleans a chance to be successful?
Goodell: Well, J.B. you know there are a lot of questions about the New Orleans market right now. None of us seem
to know the answers to those long term about how is New Orleans really going to come back. The NFL has been
there from day one; we brought our team back in there as soon as we possibly could. We are
there as a good strong corporate citizen to make sure that we do everything possible to get that dome back up and
operating which they identified as a key factor in their economic recovery down in New Orleans. So we’re thrilled
about being back there for the opening of the dome in just two weeks.
J.B.: So you’re optimistic about corporate support?
Goodell: I am. I think they’re down there and going to do what’s necessary to make that team successful.
Marino: Commissioner, we want to see how authentic your autograph is. We got a (football), let me get you a pen.
Sharpe: Don’t sign that football; he’ll sell it.
Marino: That’s what I’m going to do when I get my Super Bowl tickets, sell them on EBay.
Goodell (Signing football): This is a change -- me signing something for Dan Marino.
Marino: It’s the real deal.
J.B.: Mr. Goodell thank you so much, buddy. A man that’s been with the NFL all his life.
Goodell: Thank you, guys.
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