Arthur

Blank

Earlier this week, Front Office Sports’ Mark Maske reported that NFL owners expect to finalize a contract extension with Roger Goodell “in the coming months.” The current CBA runs through March 2031, but the NFL is negotiating new broadcast deals and is apparently hoping to install an 18-game schedule during the current CBA. Keeping the commissioner in place makes sense in that regard.

Reducing attendance in the 71,000-seat stadium would supposedly allow fans to social distance during Falcons’ home games, as fans will be required to wear masks in every stadium, no matter the state’s policy on face coverings. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Falcons season ticket holders will be limited to two or three of the team’s eight home contests. “Is it going to be perfect? Absolutely not,” Don Rovak, the Falcons’ vice president of sales and service, told the Journal-Constitution. “But I do think we’ll provide a level of care that our (fans) will feel, and we’ll be able to justify it for this point in time.” The policy is wildly divergent from MetLife Stadium’s decision to not allow fans at 2020 Giants and Jets home games, “until further notice.” For now, the NFL will allow teams to create their own stadium attendance policies.

The Falcons pumped in noise through the speakers when the opposing offense was huddling up. “I think what we’ve done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong,” owner Arthur Blank admitted in February. “Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we’re opposed to.” The NFL has also suspended team president Rich McKay from the league’s competition committee and fined the franchise $350,000.

However, the 73-year-old Blank says his overall prognosis is “good.” He opted for surgery after consulting with a “number of expert doctors.” Blank has owned the Falcons since 2002. The team is opening a new stadium in 2017.

The Falcons allegedly were pumping the noise through the Georgia Dome speakers when the opposing offense was huddling up trying to call its play. Atlanta could be looking at a stiff fine and loss of a draft pick if found guilty.

''It’s not really a fine line,’' Blank said. ''I think what we’ve done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong. Anything that affects the competitive balance and fairness on the field, we’re opposed to.” Blank must know the league has irrefutable evidence, and is trying to get out in front of the apology game. The Falcons are subject to both a hefty fine and loss of draft picks. Blank’s contriteness could level down the punishment, however.