Jones hires lawyer, threatens suit over Goodell extension

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told owners on the NFL’s compensation committee, the body charged with negotiating a contract extension with commissioner Roger Goodell, that he has hired attorney David Boies and intends to file a lawsuit if the committee proceeds with its plans to complete Goodell’s extension.

Jones’ threat was delivered during a conference call of compensation committee members last week, according to multiple people familiar with the committee’s deliberations.

“He mentioned that he’d hired David Boies,” said one of the people with knowledge of the situation.

Jones’ threat of legal action is not expected to stop the committee from completing its contract extension with Goodell, the person said.

“He’s going to be extended,” said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the possibility of legal action. “Whether it’s in December or in March or whenever it is, he’s going to be extended.”

Jones is said to be working to halt Goodell’s contract extension, or at least change the terms of it, because of his displeasure over the NFL’s six-game suspension of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott under the sport’s personal-conduct policy. Jones’ associates say his opposition to Goodell’s extension is not about the Elliott case but is about his previously held beliefs that Goodell’s contract should be incentive-laden.