LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Roger Goodell dishes on phone buddy Tom Brady, 18-game season

Feb 3, 2025, 2:07 PM | Updated: Feb 4, 2025, 3:38 am

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 14: (L-R) Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vega...

Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis, Tom Brady and Alex Guerrero attend a game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Mercury 89-80. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS — Tom Brady has a direct line to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who is helping the retired quarterback walk the blurred line between FOX football analyst and minority ownership with the Las Vegas Raiders.

“He calls frequently,” Goodell said of Brady, his infamous ‘Deflategate’ rival. “To ask, ‘Am I doing OK?'”

The league reiterated Monday that Brady is “still subject to tampering rules and held accountable for that” after new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said Brady is integrally involved in the team’s football operation.

Brady is on the call of the game Sunday with FOX in his first season as the featured game analyst on the network’s No. 1 team with Kevin Burkhardt.

“In the case of this actual transition, we had special rules for this,” Goodell said of Brady’s role as owner and access-holding broadcaster. “That’s something we’ll obviously consider in the offseason — should that policy be adjusted? Right now, Tom has been incredibly cooperative.”

Goodell said Monday afternoon the league continues to push the boundaries of expansion. Not necessarily adding a 33rd team, but finding new audiences to introduce to the NFL. To start the 2024 regular season, the league staged a game in Brazil between the Eagles and Packers. The goal for the “International Series” slate of games beyond the United States borders is 12 games per year.

And eventually, Goodell said, a franchise based in an international city.

“I do think there’s a potential that someday we’ll have an international franchise,” Goodell said Monday afternoon in the Saints’ locker room at Caesars Superdome, set up for use by temporary tenants, the Eagles. “We do like to have — being here in New Orleans, this is a great thing for the New Orleans Saints. Have the world’s attention. I think the same would be true of an international franchise.”

Prior to last year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Goodell publicly embraced moving to a shorter preseason — currently three games per team — and expanding the regular season from 17 to 18 games to meet overwhelming interest from fans. Goodell said the NFL and NFLPA haven’t had formal negotiating sessions around expanding the regular season, which must be collectively bargained with players.

But the league definitely believes “18 and 2 might be a possibility,” Goodell said, without disclosing a specific timeframe for the shift.

“The (18-game discussion will) come up in the context of the broader CBA issues. It will be part of the formal discussions (with the NFLPA),” Goodell said.

“We were able to do that when we moved to 17 games back in 2020. This year, the data on safety has been extraordinary on player safety and injuries. Concussions are at a historically low level this year. … I think all of those are factors in, how do we look at the offseason?”

Goodell said the NFL continues to follow up with minority candidates regarding the “sincerity” of coaching interviews called into question recently under the “Rooney Rule” requirement for minorities to be included in team searches for coach and GM vacancies. Asked about the Trump Administration making efforts to dismantle diversity and inclusion protocol in corporations and federal hiring, Goodell said the NFL is continuing those efforts “because it does make the NFL better.”

“We see that. We see how it’s benefited the National Football League,” Goodell said. “So many of us, including the National Football League and our office, are doing that voluntarily because it has benefitted our company.

“I am proud of it in this sense: I believe our diversity efforts have made the NFL better. We think we’re better when we get different perspectives.”

Goodell was seated on a makeshift stage with emcee Curt Menefee of FOX separated by the Lombardi Trophy and helmets of the Super Bowl LIX teams.

On the field Sunday, the Chiefs are chasing a historic third consecutive Super Bowl victory while some fans and corners of social media are convinced Kansas City is receiving the benefit of favor from officials. Goodell said the NFL sees and hears complaints about officiating but denied there’s any legitimacy to the theory the league “scripts” or prefers that the Chiefs succeed.

“From a lot of those theories are things that happen in social media and they get a new life,” Goodell said. “Nobody wants it to be their theory. I understand it. I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion. … That’s a ridiculous theory for anyone that might take it seriously.”

New Orleans serves as the host city for a league record-tying 11th time on Sunday. Goodell and the league applauded renovations to the Superdome as the centerpiece of the headline event in pro sports.

“Obviously the stadium is a big part of that, the stage … we realize this is a place that is sort of perfect for the Super Bowl,” Goodell said.

–The NFL has two franchises in Los Angeles — the Rams and Chargers — and will play the Super Bowl at their home stadium in two years. Goodell said the league intends to be “good corporate citizens but also to lead” in the rebuilding process that could take years in some communities.

Five NFL employees lost their homes in the fires.

“The NFL is going to be there to support that,” the commissioner said. “It’s also going to be there to support our platform — give attention and focus to a community or issue that we all need to be aware of. … We’ll want to be part of that and rebuilding L.A. as soon as possible.”

–Goodell celebrated Louisiana on Monday becoming the 15th state to legally recognize girls high school flag football as an official sport. He said there is significant interest from the NFL and beyond to establish a “professional flag football league.”

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

More NFL coverage on Sactown Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders are re-signing Patrick Graham to remain their defensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported.

Graham, who has held the position since 2022, saw his contract expire at the end of this season.

He is expected to provide continuity for new head coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek.

Patrick Graham, 46, served as a defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 and with the New York Giants in 2020-21 before joining Las Vegas.

Read More:

Reports: Raiders bringing back DC Patrick Graham

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Newsletter

Las Vegas Raiders

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 18: Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks t...

Field Level Media

Reports: Chip Kelly leaving Ohio State to become Raiders OC

Chip Kelly is leaving national champion Ohio State to return to the NFL as offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN reported Sunday.

9 days ago

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 05: Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham of the the Las Vegas Raiders w...

Field Level Media

Reports: Raiders bringing back DC Patrick Graham

The Las Vegas Raiders are re-signing Patrick Graham to remain their defensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported.

12 days ago

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JUNE 04: Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon of the Las Vegas Raiders looks o...

Field Level Media

Report: Raiders to keep special teams chief Tom McMahon

The Las Vegas Raiders are retaining special teams coordinator Tom McMahon under new head coach Pete Carroll, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

13 days ago

RENTON, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 10: Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll speaks at the Seat...

Field Level Media

Reports: Raiders to name Pete Carroll head coach

The Las Vegas Raiders are naming Pete Carroll as their next head coach, multiple media outlets reported Friday.

18 days ago

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 22: The Las Vegas Raiders logo is shown on the field before the team's...

Field Level Media

Report: Raiders finalizing deal with John Spytek as their new general manager

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a deal with John Spytek to be their new general manager.

20 days ago

Roger Goodell dishes on phone buddy Tom Brady, 18-game season