FanHouse Nfl Expanded Season

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- One of the issues NFL owners discussed before wrapping up their meetings this morning was expanding the so-called "Rooney Rule" to the hiring of general managers as well as coaches. The rule, established in 2003, currently requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for vacant head coaching positions or face a fine. The change would apply the same rule to vacant GM positions.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said the change could be implemented "almost immediately," though he first needs to speak with Steelers owner Dan Rooney, the father of the rule and the chair of the league's diversity committee. Rooney did not attend these meetings because he is currently undergoing the training required of him to become U.S. ambassador to Ireland per an appointment by President Barack Obama.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Roger Goodell wants to expand the NFL regular season to 17 or 18 games. Team owners, who would presumably profit from such an arrangement, seem to favor it. However, enough issues remain with the plan that Goodell doesn't foresee an owners' vote on it before their meetings conclude at noon Wednesday.

"Right now I do not anticipate a vote on that, but I do anticipate a full discussion," the commissioner said at a media briefing while the owners broke for lunch between their morning and afternoon meetings.

Goodell and NFL General Counsel Jeff Pash said the league would begin negotiations on the new collective bargaining with the players' union next month, and that the plan is to deliver to the players a report on the idea of expanding the regular season. While they'd like to get the players on board with the plan, it's also clear the league doesn't feel it needs its players' approval to put it in place.