Just what punishment can the league impose on Irsay for free speech?
If you are National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, what do you do with a problem like Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay? In reality, not much as Irsay has the right to say whatever he wants even if it is stupid talk. Irsay apparently is still upset with his 2014 arrest. Irsay had a reason for his 2014 arrest for driving while impaired. The reason? He is a member of a persecuted minority. He is a “rich, white billionaire” Irsay for whatever reason decided to do a segment on the HBO show, Real Sports, and was interviewed by Andrea Kramer who asked him about the 2014 arrest. Irsay said. “I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire. If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.” Irsay continued after being asked if really thought that way. “I could give a damn what people think how anything sounds or sounds like. The truth is the truth, and I know the truth.” Irsay then went on social media and continued his rant, threatening ESPN personalities with a lawsuit after an ESPN show panel discussed Irsay’s rant.
Irsay was suspended by Goodell and the 30 other owners and the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors in 2014 for six games and fined him $500,000 for being arrested. Just what can Goodell, the 30 owners and the Packers Board of Directors do with Irsay? They can’t strip him of his business. The league did not get rid of Washington franchise owner Daniel Snyder for bad behavior although Snyder did eventually sell the franchise. Carolina’s Jerry Richardson who accused of sexual harassment and he also sold his team under Goodell’s watch. A fine? A suspension? That won’t work. What do you do with a problem like Irsay?
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Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com
