Before Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke to the media about a number of matters affecting the league, including the expanding legal sports gambling market. Goodell spoke on behalf of the NFL following a wave of gambling concerns involving not just players but also coaches and league staff, who are required to abide by the league’s wagering policy.
The NFL Commissioner also revealed that the Philadelphia Eagles would host the league’s first regular-season game in Brazil. The Eagles, who haven’t played abroad since 2018, will take on a to-be-announced opponent in São Paolo on Friday, September 6. In more than 50 years, this Friday game on opening weekend will mark the NFL’s first.
Addressing Gambling Concerns
The event took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, and attracted numerous reporters for insights on key league matters. Goodell acknowledged the importance of addressing gambling concerns as sports betting becomes more legalized across the US.
Although the NFL had previously shied away from gambling, it has now made a presence in the sports betting and casino sectors because of PASPA’s popularity. Following a wave of gambling concerns, he told reporters that the game’s integrity is crucial. Therefore, we devote a lot of effort to that, training staff members and ensuring that they are all aware of our gambling regulations as well as any other policies that may have an impact on the fairness of our gaming.
Protecting the League’s Honor
Goodell made it a point to protect the league’s honor before the NFL’s Super Bowl clash between the 49ers and Chiefs on February 11. He emphasized that the NFL’s priority is ensuring “action on the field is genuine” to preserve fan trust and confidence in the game.
The commissioner shared that 13 players had been disciplined for gambling violations, while approximately 25 league and team personnel staffers were let go for similar infractions. The Super Bowl week brings restrictions on NFL personnel as they cannot gamble or visit casinos according to NFL guidelines. Goodell added that anything that may compromise the integrity of our game is strictly off-limits.
The NFL updated its gambling policy for employees and players in September 2023 in response to complaints that it was unclear and imposed harsh penalties. On the first infraction of the violation, the league lowered the restriction of wagering at NFL facilities from six games to two games. The NFL’s partnership with gambling companies remains an ongoing concern for some, but Goodell maintains that the focus is on maintaining a fair and honest game for fans.
Roger Goodell on gambling concerns as NFL hosts its first Super Bowl in Las Vegas: “It’s our No. 1 objective. … The integrity of the game is critical.”
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 5, 2024
Crucial Super Bowl LVIII Updates
The NFL is planning to bring international football back to Brazil, with the first regular-season game in the country scheduled for September 6, 2024. The Eagles will host the event and face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in São Paulo. More than half a century has passed since the NFL last scheduled a Friday game on opening weekend.
The league continues to adapt to new technologies, as seen with the streaming success of the Dolphins-Chiefs AFC Wild Card Round matchup on Peacock. While Goodell expressed that a Super Bowl streamed exclusively would not occur under his tenure, he acknowledged the importance of adapting to changing viewer preferences.
He also highlighted the massive success of the Peacock broadcast, attracting 23 million viewers and reaching a younger demographic. Goodell’s contract expires in 2027, leaving the future of the league’s stance on streaming games uncertain.
