Can Roger Goodell Continue Without Robert Kraft's Support? The Relationship Looks Like It Is Over

“Being the leading candidate in something like this could be the kiss of death to tell you the truth,” Robert Kraft said in 2006 when asked about the possibility of Roger Goodell being the favorite to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner. While it is widely reported that Goodell was Kraft’s guy, that does not appear to have been the case initially. Kraft originally recommended Robert Reynolds for the position, but threw his support behind Goodell after those early “kiss of death” warnings, and thus became a key figure in Goodell’s ascendancy.

Even then, though, there was this sense in Kraft’s early statements: Not so fast. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t assume things will stay as they seem.

Now, one wonders if the latest rulings against Tom Brady and Kraft’s Patriots will be a belated “kiss of death” almost a decade later. According to NESN, the relationship between Kraft and Goodell is pretty much dead. Sports Illustrated has even more ominous quotes about Kraft–who demanded a public apology if the Patriots were cleared:

"“I really don’t see how Robert is going to get past this with Roger,” says a source close to Kraft. “Robert was furious with the leaks and the investigation in the first place, but he figured they’d be exonerated. Now he’s out of his mind with anger.”"

Compare that reaction to how Kraft reacted in September 2007 and thereafter to the “Spygate” punishments, when the organization was fined and lost draft picks. In an interview on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, Kraft said, that although he was initially angry, he accepted the decision, and added, “Commissioner Goodell is responsible for the integrity of the NFL.”

In January, prior to that year’s Super Bowl, Goodell received much criticism from Senator Arlen Spector for destroying the Patriots’ tapes, and spoke about it at the league press conference. Afterward, Kraft said, “I’m fine with everything that was said. I think the commissioner did a great job.”

“As commissioner of the NFL, his greatest challenges still lie ahead. At times, I’m sure those challenges will feel more like he is trying to move mountains, rather than climb them. But I am convinced that Roger is the right person to lead the NFL into the next decade, and continue football’s dominance in American sports.”

Through all the other controversies and conflicts, Kraft stayed steady in that view. Two years ago, in saying he did not care how players viewed Goodell, Kraft said, “I think we really lucked out with him as commissioner. I think Roger, once he assumed this position, really runs the NFL like he owns it and thinks like an owner.”

When it was the Saints being punished by Goodell, Kraft said, ““I think he has the full support of the membership with what his decision was, and he’s in the best position to speak to that. I don’t have all the facts.”

And when Goodell faced much public fire and calls for his ouster after the Ray Rice debacle, it was Kraft going on “CBS This Morning” and publicly defending Goodell.

That appears over now. Goodell may have alienated his strongest ally over the last eight years, and in the process, may be setting up for some more showdowns. It didn’t matter that Roger Goodell was publicly hated and booed by fans or despised by the players. He worked for, and shielded, the owners, and Kraft was a big part of that alliance. He may have finally pissed off the wrong demographic, and now we’ll see if other owners–who like Kraft in regard to Bountygate supported the punishment of another team–rally to Goodell’s decision.