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Roger Goodell: NFL to fight Sunday Ticket ruling; open to private equity ownership

Thu Jul 11 4:19pm ET
Field Level Media

Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL plan a renewed fight in a court ruling over the league Sunday Ticket plan that could result in a damages toll over $14 billion.

Goodell underscored the path to further litigation the NFL plans to take in response to the class-action verdict from a Los Angeles jury ordering payment from the NFL of $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and another $96 million to the commercial class, siding against the league on accusations the NFL violated antitrust laws by making out-of-market Sunday afternoon games available for distribution through the "Sunday Ticket" subscription.

Damages triple under federal antitrust laws, meaning the ruling could cost the NFL nearly a full year of reported profits: $14.39 billion.

"We obviously disagree with the jury verdict. It's a long process and we're aware of that. But we feel very strongly about our position, our policies, particularly on media," Goodell told CNBC in an interview Thursday at the Sun Valley Conference. "We make our sport available to the broadest possible audience. Sunday Ticket is just a complementary product. We're committed to following the litigation all the way and making sure that we get this right."

Goodell was asked if he took notice of the NBA media rights deal, which reportedly jumped nearly $50 billion to $76 billion with primetime games available seven nights per week at the end of the NFL regular season.

"Probably a lot of people in the NFL think they're underpaid. But, we have great relationships with our networks," Goodell said.

He also opened the door to private equity ownership in the NFL's 32 franchises, furthering a discussion he admitted took place in 2023 at the height of the PGA-LIV Golf controversy and financing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Based on "tremendous interest" Goodell said the NFL believes allowing private equity ownership could "make sense in a limited fashion."

"We believe that this could make sense for us in a limited fashion, probably no more than 10 percent of a team," he said.

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Player Notes
Dareke Young Aug 11 4:20am CT
Dareke Young

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young caught three of his four targets for a team-high 44 receiving yards in Saturday's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 2022 draftee's catch and target totals also tied for most on the team. He was also involved in Seattle's longest play of the game. Tucked in close to the Seahawks' line, Young was marked only by a linebacker who he easily outran while crossing over the middle. Once open, Sam Howell fired a dart to Young for a gain of 26 yards. Young showed good hands in the game but he is not a viable fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

George Holani Aug 11 4:00am CT
George Holani

Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani found the end zone in Saturday's 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Holani entered the game after three straight Kenny McIntosh touches gave Seattle first down on the Chargers' 11-yard line. After taking the handoff he deftly bounced outside when his lanes up the middle were jammed, found the edge, and ran it in. The undrafted rookie out of Boise State finished the game with six carries for 24 yards and two receptions for another six yards through the air. Fellow rookie Kobe Lewis led Seattle's backfield with 10 carries. Both running backs are competing with McIntosh to see who will sit directly behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet on the depth chart. Their next opportunity for game action will come against the Tennessee Titans on August 17.

From RotoBaller

Sam Howell Aug 11 3:40am CT
Sam Howell

Quarterback Sam Howell enjoyed a win in his debut with the Seahawks on Saturday. Howell went 16-for-27 for 130 yards and a touchdown as a passer in Seattle's 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also gained 17 yards on four rushes. The Chargers' aggressive pass rush kept pressure on Howell throughout the game resulting in several throwaways and broken plays. Howell's first score in a Seahawk uniform was a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell early in the second quarter. The former Washington Commander came to Seattle via trade in the offseason to back up veteran Geno Smith, who was held out of the preseason game as a precaution. Howell will next be in action when Seattle takes on the Tennessee Titans on August 17.

From RotoBaller

Trent Taylor Aug 11 2:00am CT
Trent Taylor

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor led the team in all-purpose yards in Saturday night's 17-13 loss at the Tennessee Titans. Taylor, 30, hauled in three receptions on six targets for 48 yards and ripped off a 21-yard gain on his lone carry. The Louisiana Tech product was drafted by San Francisco in 2017 but spent two years in Cincinnati before signing with Chicago in 2023, where he worked almost exclusively returning punts. Taylor is currently competing with a large number of receivers to make the roster. It's unlikely that Taylor will become fantasy-relevant in 2024. However, if you squint, you might see Taylor as the best Deebo Samuel, Sr. impersonator available in the 49ers' receiver room should something happen to the real deal.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Aug 11 1:20am CT
Jordan Mason

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason led the team in rushing in a 17-13 preseason loss at the Tennessee Titans. He finished the night with six carries for 34 yards and a touchdown while failing to haul in his only target in the passing game. Mason, 25, spent last year alternating between second and third in the 49ers' depth chart, getting most of his looks when all-world back Christian McCaffrey and fellow backup Elijah Mitchell were unavailable. Although backfield competitor Tyrion Davis-Price has flown to Philadelphia this year, Mason may have an even tougher time finding the field in 2024 as the 49ers have retained Mitchell, traded up to draft Louisville's Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round, and welcomed back Matt Breida after a four-year hiatus. Mason outperformed Breida on Saturday -- the latter took six carries for zero yards -- but Mason would require an injury to McCaffrey to be fantasy-relevant even if he beats out Guerendo and Breida.

From RotoBaller

Joshua Dobbs Aug 11 1:00am CT
Joshua Dobbs

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs assumed second-half quarterback duties in a 17-13 loss at the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night. Dobbs, who raised some eyebrows in 2023 with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, signed with San Francisco in March to back up starter Brock Purdy. Dobbs finished the night completing 14 of 20 passing attempts for 146 yards and one interception to go with one rushing attempt, which went for a six-yard touchdown. The 29-year-old former aerospace engineering major looked mostly sharp, though he was sacked once for a 15-yard loss. Dobbs will go undrafted in fantasy leagues, but would likely be worth a waiver-wire look if Purdy were to miss time, especially with the rushing upside he showed last season and the potent offense he'd be running.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Aug 10 10:40pm CT
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked sharp in limited action in Saturday night's preseason defeat to the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium, completing three of his four passing for 27 yards in the loss. Mahomes made a cameo on Saturday against Jacksonville, leading a scoring drive in the first quarter before his evening came to an end. After posting a career-low 4.5% touchdown rate and a career-worst 14 interceptions across 16 appearances last season, the 28-year-old three-time Super Bowl MVP is a clear positive regression candidate for 2024. While Mahomes' supporting cast looks much improved from what the Chiefs fielded in Week 1 of last year, Marquise Brown (shoulder) went down with a shoulder injury in this one, while Rashee Rice remains at risk of getting suspended at some point this year. All in all, Mahomes is a surefire top-shelf QB1 pick in the early rounds of fantasy drafts this summer.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Aug 10 10:40pm CT
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was active in Saturday night's preseason loss to the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium, hauling in his lone pass for seven yards in the defeat. Kelce's cameo on Saturday against the Jaguars saw him work with the first-team offense during a scoring drive in the first quarter, hooking up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a seven-yard pickup. 2023 was a tale of two halves for Kelce, who looked as spry as ever during the first half of the season before his production tapered off down the stretch of the year. The 34-year-old future Hall of Famer kicked things into high gear during the postseason, however, averaging eight catches for 88.8 yards with three total touchdowns over four playoff appearances. He may no longer be the undisputed top TE1 in the game with so much talent at the position around him at this stage of his career, but Kelce is a safe choice in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Deneric Prince Aug 10 10:30pm CT
Deneric Prince

Kansas City Chiefs running back Deneric Prince put up modest production in Saturday night's preseason loss to the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank stadium, rushing four times for 16 yards and catching both of his two targets for 10 yards in the defeat. Prince tied with fullback Carson Steele and fourth-stringer Keaontay Ingram for a team-high four carries on Saturday evening against Jacksonville. Although he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Prince is trying to beat out incumbent veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the No. 2 RB job this summer behind workhorse starter Isiah Pacheco. With Jerick McKinnon out of the picture in KC, the 24-year-old power back has a clearer pathway to a change-of-pace role for the Chiefs in 2024. Even so, Prince will likely need to yield more impressive results in next Saturday's preseason game against the visiting Detroit Lions to make a serious case for more backfield touches.

From RotoBaller

Keaontay Ingram Aug 10 10:30pm CT
Keaontay Ingram

Kansas City Chiefs running back Keaontay Ingram chipped in a team-high four carries in Saturday night's preseason defeat to the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank stadium, rushing for 12 yards in the loss. His longest carry went for 10 yards, and he wasn't targeted in the passing game on Saturday evening against the Jaguars. Ingram is one of three Chiefs' backs battling for the top backup role behind workhorse starter Isiah Pacheco, but veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Deneric Prince, who has worked as KC's No. 2 back in training camp, figure to have a leg up on him. The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick has rushed for just 2.2 yards per carry over 62 rushing attempts for his career, so he's no guarantee to make the roster this fall. Ingram will look to do more with his touches in next Saturday's preseason game against the visiting Detroit Lions.

From RotoBaller

Simi Fehoko Aug 10 9:40pm CT
Simi Fehoko

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Simi Fehoko led the team in receptions and finished second in yards gained in a Preseason Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Fehoko was targeted four times, tied for the team lead in that category, and made three catches, gaining 33 yards. Most of his yards came on a 29-yard reception. Fehoko is mostly a special teamer and depth in the Chargers wide receiver room, as he only made one catch all of last season.

From RotoBaller

Sean Tucker Aug 10 9:40pm CT
Sean Tucker

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker did a solid job on the ground during Saturday's preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-year back barely touched the field during his rookie season in Tampa Bay. Tucker is looking to secure the backup role behind Rachaad White. He certainly helped his case while rushing for 68 yards on 10 carries in the win. The Bucs No. 2 job behind White appears to be wide open right now. That being said, both Tucker and Bucky Irving made strong cases during the preseason opener. There is still a few more games for these two to separate themselves before Week 1. Whoever earns the job should see a handful of carries behind White on a weekly basis.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Spiller Aug 10 9:40pm CT
Isaiah Spiller

Los Angeles Chargers running back Isaiah Spiller was ineffective on the ground in a Preseason Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Spiller ran the ball five times for a total of five yards on the ground. He did add three catches on three targets for an additional 18 yards however. Spiller had some bright moments among his 37 carries last season, but was mostly a depth option in the Chargers backfield. It'll take a few injuries this season for him to be much more than that, as he currently sits fourth at best on the running back list.

From RotoBaller

Cameron Dicker Aug 10 9:40pm CT
Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker scored the only three points for the team in a 16-3 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Dicker nailed his only field goal attempt for a career-long 58 yard score. He also added a solo tackle on special teams for good measure. Dicker is an extremely reliable kicking option and should be a top-10 fantasy option once again in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Easton Stick Aug 10 9:30pm CT
Easton Stick

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick didn't do too much in the opening preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Stick got the start in place of an injured Justin Herbert (foot) and completed just five of his 13 pass attempts for 31 yards and an interception. He took two sacks and added one rush for 12 yards. Stick is currently second on the Chargers depth chart, but he was arguably outplayed by both Max Duggan and Luis Perez in this one. What it boils down to though is: the Chargers are in trouble if Herbert misses any regular season games.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Aug 10 9:30pm CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving made the most of his chances during the preseason opener on Saturday. The rookie back rushed into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown to tie up the game towards the end of the first quarter. The fourth-round pick rushed six times for 28 yards and one score in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The door appears to be pretty wide open for the No. 2 back behind Rachaad White in the backfield. A few more performances like this could help Irving secure that backup job. Whoever earns that spot could see a handful of carries per game behind White.

From RotoBaller

Jaret Patterson Aug 10 9:30pm CT
Jaret Patterson

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson led the Chargers backfield in carries and yards in the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Patterson carried the ball seven times for a total of 38 yards, including a long run of 16. The college star was an undrafted free agent in 2023 but did not see the field. He's buried on the Chargers depth chart, and while Preseason Week 1 isn't usually a good predictor, he could be someone the Chargers see as a special teams piece or a depth guy to keep around.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Aug 10 9:20pm CT
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Love on Saturday. It was his only catch of the game. Wicks sprung free down the right sideline and caught the ball with several yards of separation from his defender. Wicks has been an interesting sleeper candidate for 2024. While it is only the preseason, Wicks' early involvement should be encouraging for prospective fantasy managers. Wicks finished 2023 with 39 receptions for 581 yards and four touchdowns. No Packers wide receiver has established themselves as a clear No. 1 in the offense, leaving Wicks room to improve upon those numbers. Wicks finished the game with his lone reception on his only target, as the starters did not last past the first drive. Look for more flashes from Wicks as the preseason continues, and keep an eye on him during the fantasy draft season.

From RotoBaller

Pierre Strong Jr. Aug 10 9:20pm CT
Pierre Strong Jr.

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. racked up the yardage in his team's 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in their preseason opener on Saturday. Strong carried the ball six times for 15 yards while adding two catches for 10 yards in the contest. He also made an impact in the return game as he took the Browns' first kick return 27 yards to set up a field-goal-scoring drive. Strong is stuck behind multiple running backs on the depth chart but he could carve out a decent role if Nick Chubb (knee) isn't ready to play in Week 1 or if Jerome Ford suffers an injury during the season. Strong could also hold some value in fantasy leagues that give points for yardage in the return game, especially with the new dynamic kickoff rules in place.

From RotoBaller

AJ Dillon Aug 10 9:20pm CT
AJ Dillon

Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon recorded four carries for two yards in the Packers' preseason opener against the Browns. Dillon entered the game with the second offense on the Packers' second drive. He appears to be in position to be the Packers' No. 2 running back to start the season. However, Dillon continued the inefficient running he displayed in 2023. With rookie MarShawn Lloyd's (hamstring) status uncertain moving forward, Dillon may be able to hold the job for now.

From RotoBaller