Broadcast networks provided special coverage this afternoon as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference to answer questions and announce that he won’t resign.
“We will get our house in order first,” Goodell said as he announced enhanced domestic violence and sexual violence education programs for the league’s teams and front office. “These activities must be condemned and stopped,” Goodell said regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, and illegal use of alcohol and drugs. Goodell also announced the formation of a conduct committee.
Goodell, who has been commissioner for 8 years, once again announced he was wrong in his determination of a two-game suspension of former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice.
CBS, NBC and ABC all broke in at 3:15pmET. Scott Pelley anchored on CBS, Lester Holt on NBC and George Stephanopoulos on ABC. ABC dropped out of the news conference first, followed by NBC then CBS. The cable news and sports channels, including NFL Network, also carried the news conference.
The first question went to NBC’s Peter Alexander. The next question came from CNN’s Rachel Nichols; the next from Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager. Other questions came from CBS Sports’ Sharyn Alfonsi, Fox Sports 1’s Mike Garafalo, NFL.com Columnist Judy Batista, Arise TV’s Andrew Rosario, ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, and The Associated Press’ Barry Wilner.
The news conference lasted 43 minutes.