NFL owners OK stricter policy in anthem saga

A T L A N T A • The NFL tried Wednesday to end its star-spangled PR mess. We’ll find out come August and September if it works.

Owners voted unanimously — well, not really unanimously — in favour of a new anthem policy that requires all team personnel to stand respectfully as The Star Spangled Banner plays, but allows those who’d prefer to remain in the locker-room to do so.

Shortly after the owners’ twoday spring meeting concluded, San Francisco 49ers chairman Jed York said he abstained from the vote on his franchise’s behalf.

Commissioner Roger Goodell “will impose appropriate discipline on league personnel who do not stand and show respect for the flag and anthem.” And teams with offenders will be fined by the league.

Finally, each team may additionally “develop its own work rules,” consistent with the new policy’s principles, “regarding its personnel who do not stand and show respect” for the flag and anthem.

Does that mean individual owners can suspend, further fine or otherwise punish as they see fit their own offending players?

That’s unclear, but it seems so.

The NFL players union, not consulted by owners, released a statement saying it is “less enthused” by the policy changes.

“The vote by NFL club CEOS today contradicts the statements made to our player leadership by commissioner Roger Goodell and the chairman of the NFL’S manage- ment council John Mara about the principles, values and patriotism of our league,” the NFLPA’S statement said.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence praised the new policy, tweeting “#Winning.” President Donald Trump retweeted that message.

Trump last season ridiculed the league for allowing a small num- ber of players to disrespect the flag, country and the military by not standing at attention as the national anthem played.

Asked by Postmedia if the NFL just made matters worse with its stricter anthem policy, York said: “It’s hard for me to answer that question.”

LEAGUE AWARDS FUTURE SUPER BOWLS

The Super Bowl is headed back to New Orleans for the 11th time and will make its fourth stop in Arizona.

NFL owners voted unanimously on both sites; the 2023 title game will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., while New Orleans’ Mercedes-benz Superdome will host in 2024.

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JOHN BAZEMORE / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS San Francisco 49ers executive Jed York, right, abstained from voting on the NFL’S new national anthem policy. York said “it’s hard to answer” the question of whether the policy makes matters worse.