Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft At War Over New Social Media Rules

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft prior to the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL likes to give the impression there is complete solidarity among its hierarchy. That has proven to be a slight exaggeration in recent weeks.

As it turns out there is a conflict brewing beneath the surface regarding a number of new league rule and policy changes. With ratings sagging, there is an increased push for expanding to an 18-game season. Also the league has worked hard to crack down on its teams posting any video content to their social media pages. What they likely didn’t expect was how much displeasure that would cause among several teams.

Chief among them is the Dallas Cowboys. Their owner Jerry Jones took it upon himself to raise the issue at the weekly owners meeting in Houston according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who chairs the NFL digital media committee, apparently didn’t care for his colleagues’ stance.

"“Jones made an impassioned defense of the member clubs, claiming the highlights were team-generated content and clubs should be able to do what they want with them on social media.Jones also expressed his belief that if the league can post the videos then the teams should do so as well. Kraft actually got up and left the meeting room at one point, sources said.While there has been some overt displeasure with the rule, ownership sources said this by and large isn’t seen as a major issue, and many owners are comfortable with this process as the league sorts out its business model and operations regarding the expanding reach of social media and how to best monetize it.”"

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Though played down for the most part, this represents the first significant sign of division among the owners regarding the direction the league is going. There is a growing sentiment that the NFL has become so robotic, joyless and business-like. Fans just don’t find it cool to watch anymore. Combined with the ongoing health concerns and a rather pedestrian string of primetime games, the ratings continue to sag.

Sports like baseball and basketball have begun to eat into their sizable lead as favorite among the American legions of sports fans. If it continues they will begin to lose money, and that of course is unacceptable. Being the great businessman he is, Jerry Jones seems to sense that and made sure he was heard on the subject. It might seem trivial now, but the policies the NFL have employed just aren’t working.

Something has to change.

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