NFL Kicks Off Annual Meeting with Opening Presentation

Commissioner Roger Goodell opened the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix today with a presentation to team owners, general managers, coaches and staff.

The 90-minute session included remarks from several NFL plus Charlotte Anderson of the Dallas Cowboys, who chairs NFL Foundation; Dr. John York of the San Francisco 49ers, who chairs the Health and Safety Committee, and Scott Hallenbeck, executive director of USA Football.  The opening briefly reviewed the successful 2012 season, one of the most memorable in NFL history.

The theme of the session was on where the NFL is headed. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL would focus on investing in the future, embracing and taking on challenges, taking the long-term view and making a difference beyond football.

Goodell posed two key questions: “How are we doing?” and “Where are we going?”

“The foundation is strong,” said Goodell, noting 10-year collective bargaining agreements with players and officials, long-term network television agreements and enhanced agreements with sponsors and licensees. Goodell mentioned that there are 13 stadium projects in the pipeline at a total estimated cost of $5.3 billion.

Goodell and other presenters outlined the league’s emphasis on player health and safety. “The game is safer and better,” said Goodell. “We are making process and our changes are working. But we have more work to do.”

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