The feud between NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones received a lot of attention in 2017. Jones was not happy with the NFL’s decision to suspend Cowboy’s running back Ezekiel Elliott for his off-field behaviour. Jones would go on to oppose the NFL’s decision to extend Goodell’s contract extension and went on to a hire a prominent lawyer to threaten the NFL with legal action.
There were a number of heated discussions that took place towards the end of 2017. Goodell did not back down from the challenge and directly addressed Jones and his threats during a conference meeting.
In a statement:
“Do I look like I take it personally? Jerry, do I look like I take it personally? No is the answer to that question. As I have said before, I think people disagree. People who have the ability to do that within the context of our structure is something that makes us stronger. My relationship with Jerry has been great. We don’t always agree. I’m not paid to agree, and he’s not paid to agree with me.”
Jones would later soften his stance after other NFL team owners supported Goodell’s contract extension. The NFL and Goodell would later go on to sign a multi-million dollar contract extension and it appeared that things had settled between the NFL, Goodell and Jerry Jones. However that does not appear to be the case as the bad blood between the two has not gone away.
The NFL and commissioner Goodell are reportedly seeking up to $2 million in damages from Jerry Jones. The $2 million sought is with regards to legal fees that the NFL paid to defend lawsuits brought by Jones with regards to the case of Ezekiel Elliott and the renewal of Goodell’s contract.
The NFL is well within its rights to do this as there is a rule in books that states that the NFL can seek the reimbursement of legal costs if an NFL team owner filed a lawsuit against other owners, then they have the right to claim reimbursement of legal fees. Reports suggest that the reimbursement action was filed by other team owners and not Goodell. The NFL’s finance committee has approved the reimbursement claim.
Both Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys are yet to release a statement with regards to the reimbursement claim filed by the NFL.