Jerry Jones Hires Lawyer, Threatens To Sue NFL Owners Over Roger Goodell Extension

Update:

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source familiar with Jerry Jones‘ thinking, reports that his concerns are related to the structure and compensation of the proposed new deal for commissioner Roger Goodell.

Jones wants Goodell’s next contract to have less guaranteed money and more tied incentives, which really isn’t all that crazy when you consider the issues that the NFL has dealt with int he past few years under his leadership.

This would also apply additional pressure to Goodell to fix lingering issues such as TV ratings decline.

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Ken Belson of the New York Times, citing two people with direct knowledge of the situation, reports that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has hired high-profile lawyer, David Boies, in an attempt to block a new extension for commissioner Roger Goodell.

According to Belson, Jones is threatening to sue the league and some fellow team owners over negotiations to extend Goodell’s contract.

Jones told the six owners on the compensation committee last week that legal papers were drawn up and would be served this Friday if the committee did not scrap its plans to extend Goodell’s contract. Although, as of today, Jones has yet to file a lawsuit.

Reports have said for months now that Jones was attempting to block a new deal for Goodell, but hiring lawyer is a clear indication of him looking to escalate the situation.

Jones is reportedly upset over Goodell’s decision to suspend Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott six games, among other issues including the national anthem protests.

A few weeks ago, Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that 17 NFL owners including Jones had a conference call Thursday and discussed the possibility of halting Goodell’s pending contract extension.

According to ESPN, there’s a “growing difference of opinion” among NFL owners regarding Goodell’s overall performance as commissioner and this group is generally unhappy with Goodell and the NFL’s front office for a variety of reasons.

Among the concerns are player protests, issues involving the teams relocating to Los Angeles, and the NFL’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence case.

“You don’t get to have this many messes over the years like Roger has had and survive it,” one owner who was on the call told ESPN.

Goodell was expected to sign a new five-year extension that would keep him in place as the commissioner through the 2024 season and extend his run to 19 years. However, there doesn’t appear to have been much progress made on the topic.

Goodell, 58, was hired as the NFL’s commissioner in 2006, replacing Paul Tagliabue. His contract was extended in 2009 and again in 2012.

During his first 10 years as commissioner, Goodell earned $212.5 million including nearly $32 million in the 2015 fiscal year.

We’ll have more regarding Goodell as the news is available.