Jones: Objection to Goodell deal not about Elliott
FRISCO, TEXAS » Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says his objection to a contract extension for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is not because of star running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over alleged domestic violence.
Jones said on his radio show Friday he wants all 32 owners to have a chance to approve the deal being negotiated between Goodell and the compensation committee that includes six owners. Jones is not on the committee.
The NFL has said owners already voted unanimously to extend Goodell’s contract and authorize the committee to work out the deal. Jones said circumstances have changed since that May vote, including the escalation of the protests over social injustice that have involved the national anthem.
Jones also said “behavioral policies” have been an issue since May. Goodell suspended Elliott in August.
Jones, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, didn’t dispute that he had threatened to sue the NFL if Goodell’s contract was extended.
He suggested he was at odds with the compensation committee chairman, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Jones said he disagrees with Blank’s assertion that the compensation committee can complete the deal without another vote of all owners.
Jones spoke a day after a federal appeals court on Thursday denied bid by Elliott to keep his six-game ban on hold, making him ineligible to play against Atlanta on Sunday.
“I really fervently disagree that we shouldn’t have him on the playing field,” Jones said. “But a lot of people are trying to tie it in frankly with the issue regarding my stance as to the chairman and renewing the commissioner. That’s really not right.”