"The 55-year-old Irsay was arrested in the late hours of March 16 in Carmel, Ind. and initially charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and four counts of possession of a controlled substance. Blood tests revealed 'oxycodone and/or hydrocodone' in his system after police pulled him over for traveling 10 mph in a 35 mph zone. In addition to bottles of prescription drugs, police found nearly $30,000 in cash in Irsay's car, $12,000 of which was bundled into a laundry bag. When questioned about the cash by Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star, Irsay brushed it aside with a vague reference to his being 'extremely generous.'"
Goodell's punishment for Irsay may sound fair --a six game suspension, banishment from league and team facilities, a $500,000 fine, and loss of social media privileges -- but when taken into context, it's hardly severe enough. According to Amy Haneline of Indianapolis Star, the impact that the $500,000 fine has on Jim Irsay -- whose net worth is $1.7 billion -- is like taking $14.23 from the average Indiana resident. And then there's the six game suspension and banishment from team facilities and social media, which means he'll be forced to watch the game from the comfort of his luxurious estate or any other location that doesn't involve the NFL.
Will Smith, the Baltimore Ravens' safety formerly a member of the New York Giants, is serving a six game suspension, just like Jim Irsay. The most significant difference is that Smith won't be paid for those six games and Irsay will. That's not right. Commissioner Goodell needs to hold team owners to an equal, if not higher, standard as the players.
No comments:
Post a Comment