Roger Goodell’s Top 5 Scandals and Worst Business Moves
Roger Goodell may be the most powerful man in sports, but with great power comes massive public scrutiny. Since taking over as NFL Commissioner in 2006, Goodell has steered the league through financial highs and PR disasters. While he’s helped the NFL reach record revenues, his tenure hasn’t been without serious controversy. From inconsistent discipline to tone-deaf decisions, here are five of the biggest scandals and business missteps that have defined (and haunted) Roger Goodell’s reign.
1. The Ray Rice Domestic Violence Scandal (2014)
Arguably the most damaging controversy of Goodell’s career, the Ray Rice incident shattered public trust in the NFL’s disciplinary system. When video footage surfaced of the Baltimore Ravens running back knocking out his fiancée in an elevator, the league initially handed Rice just a two-game suspension—a punishment widely criticized as shockingly lenient.
Only after TMZ released the full video did the NFL act more decisively, suspending Rice indefinitely. The damage, however, was done. The incident led to widespread backlash, calls for Goodell’s resignation, and a major overhaul of the league’s domestic violence policy.
2. “Deflategate” and the Tom Brady Suspension (2015)
What started as suspicions over slightly underinflated footballs spiraled into a full-blown legal saga—and one of Goodell’s most criticized moves. After a controversial investigation, Tom Brady was suspended for four games, sparking outrage among fans and experts who felt the punishment was excessive and poorly handled.
The drawn-out feud between Goodell and the Patriots became a PR nightmare, and many argued the league prioritized optics over evidence. In the court of public opinion, it looked like a power trip—especially when the suspension was overturned, then later reinstated on appeal.
Related: The $64 Million Man: Inside the Power and Pay of NFL Boss Roger Goodell
3. Handling of the Colin Kaepernick Protests (2016–2020)
Goodell’s response to Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest against racial injustice was seen by many as tone-deaf and overly political. After the quarterback began kneeling during the national anthem, the league failed to support him—or the broader message.
Kaepernick remained unsigned, and the NFL faced criticism for blackballing a player for speaking out on systemic racism. Years later, Goodell admitted the league "was wrong" in how it handled player protests, but by then, the damage to the NFL’s image was deep—and many saw his apology as too little, too late.
4. Player Safety and Concussion Controversies
For years, the NFL under Goodell was accused of downplaying the long-term dangers of concussions. The league faced lawsuits from former players, damning scientific studies, and criticism for putting profits over player health.
Although the NFL eventually reached a billion-dollar concussion settlement and improved protocols, many viewed the league’s slow, defensive response as deeply irresponsible. The perception that the NFL protected its image at the expense of players still lingers.
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5. The 2011 NFL Lockout and Labor Standoff
In 2011, a bitter labor dispute led to an NFL lockout that threatened the season and highlighted deep tensions between team owners and players. The league was accused of prioritizing revenue over compromise, and Goodell faced backlash for failing to prevent the standoff.
While a deal was ultimately reached without games being missed, the lockout exposed cracks in league leadership and Goodell’s sometimes strained relationship with players and the NFLPA (Players Association).
Roger Goodell
Conclusion
Roger Goodell is a skilled businessman who has helped make the NFL richer than ever—but his legacy is undeniably mixed. From disciplinary disasters to botched PR, his worst moments reveal a pattern of reactive, rather than proactive, leadership. The NFL is still the king of American sports, but it has often succeeded in spite of its Commissioner’s biggest missteps—not because of them.
