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NFL Near Deal Stripping Goodell of Power

Considering discipline system with neutral arbitrators.

National Football League officials and the players’ union are inching closer to a deal that would strip Commissioner Roger Goodell of his power to discipline players off the field, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Though a deal has yet to be reached, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith says he remains optimistic about a potential agreement. One option would include creating positions for three neutral arbitrators who would serve as hearing officers, people involved with the matter told the Journal. Those positions would be given to lawyers or former judges with some background in football. Under the current process, Goodell maintains all the discipline power. However, three of his decisions in the past year have been overturned in court or by a retired judge who served as an arbitrator.