The NFL recently secured an arbitration ruling that blocks the NFL Players Association from publishing team-by-team report cards, though they can still create them. This development has sparked conversations around accountability within the league.
Michael Bidwill, owner of the Arizona Cardinals, was the first to speak to reporters following the ruling. Last year, his team ranked 30th out of all owners in these report cards, finishing at the bottom. During a press conference for the groundbreaking of the Cardinals' new practice facility, Bidwill addressed the report cards, emphasizing his long-term vision.
"Feedback's a gift," Bidwill remarked, as reported by Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. "I knew our plan was to make a multi-generational decision with this new facility, focusing on a player-first approach for the Cardinals' future."
Despite Bidwill's positive spin, the league's broader stance appears less receptive. The NFL's efforts seem aimed at quashing the process rather than just preventing the publication of results. This raises questions about accountability among team owners.
Good organizations take feedback in stride and implement changes, while others might resist criticism or the processes that generate it. Once, voicing dissent was a hallmark of American values. However, recently, it seems the trend is shifting towards silencing disagreement, especially among those in power.
The hope is that these attempts to suppress feedback will encourage players to speak up more. The league's resistance to differing opinions could indeed motivate players to use their collective voice even louder.