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The NFL is holding a conference call with all 32 owners on Sunday, with the intention of providing updates on two critical points of interest.
League officials will reportedly debrief and explain plans for reopening team facilities amid COVID-19, while also touching on social justice issues and plans for increased diversity ahead of the 2020 season.
NFL scheduled to hold a conference call Thursday with team owners to debrief them on COVID-19 and plans for reopening facilities, per sources. A social justice update also will be given, meaning the two biggest off-season topics for league and country both will be addressed Thurs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 24, 2020
The NFL canceled its annual owners meetings at the end of March and early July, and have since held a number of conference calls so as to update teams on health and safety protocols.
Training camps are slated to open later next month, though there is cause for some concern.
A number of NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks, including members of the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys. Cases have also skyrocketed in states like Florida and Arizona.
However, the NFL has held pretty firm in its desire to stay on schedule. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network also reported the league was considering moving from four preseason games to two contests so as to allow for a greater “ramp up” period.
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The NFL and NFLPA are discussing the possibility of shortening the 2020 preseason, per sources.
Nothing finalized or imminent, but multiple team executives informed of talks currently believe they could end up playing two preseason games, rather than four.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 10, 2020
The social justice element of discussion could quickly rise to the forefront. After all, Commissioner Roger Goodell pledged $250 million over the course of 10 years (via Jason Reid of The Undefeated):
“The additional funds owners have approved are intended to ‘combat systemic racism and support the battle against the ongoing and historic injustices faced by African Americans,' one league official wrote in a text message to The Undefeated.”
The NFL has also received criticism as of late for the absence of black head coaches. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan questioned the lack of diversity in the coaching ranks earlier this month.
In any case, there will be plenty to discuss on Thursday.
