Goodell waiting on ‘all the facts' before making a determination on Kraft discipline

Share

PHOENIX -- The NFL is going to wait and see on Robert Kraft.

Roger Goodell fielded questions on a variety of topics Tuesday at the close of the league's Annual Meeting at the Biltmore Arizona, including a handful pertaining to the Patriots chairman and CEO.

Goodell, who was spotted with Kraft on multiple occasions between meetings this week, explained that the commissioner's office would be withholding any judgement — and any punishment — until "all the facts" had been gathered.

In broaching the subject with Goodell, the Boston Globe's Ben Volin pointed out that the commissioner has suspended players — Kansas City's Kareem Hunt and Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott, in particular — who have not been charged with crimes based on the league's collectively-bargained personal conduct policy.

Because Kraft has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting a prostitute, Volin asked, does the precedent Goodell has set mean Kraft will be suspended as well?

"The Personal Conduct Policy applies to everybody," Goodell answered. "Commissioners, owners, executives, players, coaches. And it will be applied to everybody. But it will be done after we get all the facts. When we have all the information, we'll be fair and smart about it. That's what we'll do."

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Kraft waived an arraignment scheduled for Thursday and entered a not guilty plea. He also requested a jury trial after having requested a non-jury trial late last month.

Kraft categorically denied that he had done anything illegal on the day charges were brought against him. Police claim they have captured Kraft on video twice paying attendants at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa massage parlor for sex acts in January.

Earlier this month, Kraft did not accept a plea offer made by the prosecution that would have required from him an admission that he would have been found guilty at trial.

Goodell was asked if gathering "all the facts" meant that he would hold off on a determination on discipline until Kraft's case is resolved.

MORE FROM NFL ANNUAL MEETING

"No," Goodell said. "When we get all the facts. That includes anything that might be pertinent to this."

Goodell added: "When we get all the information, we'll make determinations. I'm not going to speculate on where we are or my views on anything. Until we get all the information, we're not going to make any discussions or comments on that."

Goodell was definitive in his response to the final Kraft-related question lobbed his way. Will it be ownership or the commissioner who determines the discipline in this case, if there is to be any discipline meted out?

"The Personal Conduct Policy is my responsibility," Goodell said.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.

Contact Us