NFL Notes: Rooney Rule For Women, John Elway, Jaguars, & Lions

Rooney Rule For Women

• NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced Thursday that the league will institute a “Rooney Rule” for executive positions to interview female candidates for their openings in the coming years.

John Elway

Darren Rovell of ESPN reports that Broncos owner Pat Bowlen offered John Elway the right to purchase 10 percent of the Broncos for $15 million back in 1998.

Bowlen’s offer also would have given Elway the right to buy another 10 percent of the franchise by forgoing the deferred salary on the condition Elway would become a special assistant to Bowlen, which would eventually lead to a COO job.

According to Rovell, the Broncos owed Elway $21 million in total deferred salary.

The deal was even better than that, as Elway could have sold back his interest , two to five years later, for $5 million more than his original purchase price plus 8 percent interest a year.

Elway would also have had the right of first refusal to buy any other stake in the team if the Bowlen family sold to an outsider.

In total, Rovell calculates that this investment would have been worth $388 million, or a 646 percent return on the 1998 investment, adjusted for inflation, had he made it.

Jaguars

Jaguars RB Denard Robinson mentioned that he wants to remain in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future.

“Definitely want to stay in Jacksonville,” Robinson said, via ESPN.com. “It’s a great place and I enjoy it, enjoy the coaches and everything.”

Lions

• The Detroit Lions announced that they’ve parted ways with VP of Pro Personnel Sheldon White. (Tim Twentyman)