NASHVILLE — The NFL’s team owners completed a two-day meeting at a Nashville hotel Wednesday without taking a vote to allow investments in franchises by private equity. But owners seemed to view that prospect favorably as they move toward a potential vote later this year on the issue.
The owners likewise did not take a vote at the meeting to ratify the proposed deal by which seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady would become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. The deal between Brady and the Raiders was not addressed at all during this week’s meeting, a person familiar with the discussions said. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that Brady’s access to teams’ practices and training facilities as a broadcaster for Fox must be addressed if he becomes a minority owner of the Raiders.
But a person familiar with the approval process said it still is likely that Brady’s deal for Raiders part-ownership will be ratified in the coming months.
The owners discussed the private equity issue without taking any formal steps to allow it. NFL ownership rules currently prohibit any investments in franchises by private equity firms, public corporations or sovereign wealth funds. The NFL formed a committee of owners last year to study prospective changes to the current ownership rules.
“We didn’t ask for a vote,” Goodell said. “But I think it’s fair to say that they (the owners) agree with the direction we’re going, some of the aspects that we presented to them in that update.”
The owners’ next scheduled meeting is in October. They could move forward on the private equity issue then, if not sooner. The league could schedule a special owners’ meeting this summer if NFL leaders and owners consider the issue sufficiently pressing.
Brady’s deal for part-ownership of the Raiders remains pending before the NFL finance committee. It must be approved by at least 24 of the 32 owners.
2026 DRAFT: The NFL has awarded the 2026 draft to Pittsburgh with the Steelers ready to tap Pennsylvania’s deep football tradition trying to meet the new standard for host cities.
League officials announced the decision Wednesday as part of the NFL spring meetings. Owners chose Pittsburgh after reviewing the bid along with the advisory committee. The three-day draft will be held at Point State Park and the Steelers’ home at Acrisure Stadium.
The NFL set a record with more than 775,000 fans attending the 2024 draft in April in Detroit, and Green Bay will be hosting the 2025 draft at Lambeau Field on April 24-26.
BROWNS: Deshaun Watson did not make any throws on Wednesday with reporters in attendance as the Cleveland quarterback continues to recover from right shoulder surgery.
Watson played in just six games last season before breaking his throwing shoulder and needing surgery in November. He took part in most of the drills on the second day of organized team activities (OTAs) but didn’t do any passing.
That’s part of the plan designed by Watson, his doctors and the Browns as they ramp him up toward the regular season.
Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson is throwing every other day during this portion of his offseason program.
CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes said Wednesday that while he doesn’t agree with all the beliefs espoused by kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address, the Chiefs quarterback nevertheless respects his teammate’s right to make them be known.
Butker delivered what has become a polarizing speech May 11 at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where the three-time Super Bowl champ said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids, and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”
Butker also assailed Pride month, an important time for the LGBTQ+ community, and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.