Goodell's Suspension of Big Ben is a Blow to NFL Player's Union
Make no mistake; Commissioner Roger Goodell’s suspension of Steeler’s quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is direct warning to the NFL players union to not challenge the Commissioner’s powers.
Ben Roethlisberger, (a.k.a. "Big Ben") was charged with no crime or offense and certainly convicted of nothing following the recent bar incident in Georgia. Commissioner Goodell even conceded that the facts of the alleged incident were “disputed.” What we know is that "Big Ben" caused alcohol to be served to underage females, after that the story goes in separate directions. There is also ample evidence that Roethlisberger and his body guards took over the Georgia bar and demanded that alcohol be provided to the girls of his choice.
Even though "Big Ben’s" conduct doesn’t make anyone proud, how does Goodell arrive at a 4-6 game suspension? Remember, no crime and no penalty was imposed by local law enforcement against the quarterback. Why not a 1, 2 or 3 game suspension?
The answer is that Goodell is sending a message to the NFL player’s union in this case. The message is “don’t mess with me when it comes to discipline.” Goodell is imposing the most severe penalties to increase his power while removing the union from any real challenge to player discipline. Yes, the union can grieve this suspension to an arbitrator. However, the NFL’s personal conduct policy grants Goodell broad discretion in these cases. Goodell wants to swing a mighty hammer with player discipline and strike a blow against the union in the upcoming negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.