The NFL’s Continuing Problem

I know it seems like I’ve posted a lot about the NFL’s domestic violence problem, but that’s because it’s still in the news, and it still is very much a problem.  This really is a definitive PR crisis unfolding in front us, and it seems as if the story changes or adds new details daily, making the situation consistently worse for the NFL.

Previously, it was “the Ray Rice problem.”  The footage of him punching and subsequently dragging his girlfriend’s unconscious body out of an Atlantic City elevator, and then his lack of punishment, caused a tremendous amount of criticism on the NFL’s front office, especially Commissioner Roger Goodell.  But, when it seemed like the problem couldn’t get worse, it certainly did.  There have been rumors that the footage from inside the elevator taken of Rice punching his girlfriend was sent to the NFL by Atlantic City security back in March.  This would mean the NFL deliberately tried to cover up what Rice did, up until the video broke online.

Now there are people asking for the resignation of Goodell as the league’s commissioner because of how poorly this situation has been handled.  Perhaps the NFL could have followed the NBA’s example on how to handle a crisis within the organization.  When the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was taped making very racist claims, NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned him from the league and fined him the maximum amount.  This was met with respect from the media and the public. 

Perhaps the NBA will learn from the mistakes the NFL have made with this scandal, and try to avoid such problems in the future.  One thing we do know for sure is that the NFL could use a new PR department.  Maybe they’ll start hiring soon…