Roger Goodell: NFL seeks ‘all the facts’ in Robert Kraft case before any action

Bob Hille

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Roger Goodell: NFL seeks ‘all the facts’ in Robert Kraft case before any action image

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday night that the league continues to gather information about Robert Kraft's ongoing soliciting prostitution case while the Patriots owner kept a low profile at this week's NFL owners meetings in Arizona.

Making his first public remarks about the allegations against Kraft, Goodell said he wouldn't speculate about how the league would handle the situation, no matter how Kraft's case in South Florida turns out.

“I think we said this several weeks ago, the Personal Conduct Policy applies to everybody — the commissioner’s office, executives, players, coaches," Goodell told reporters Tuesday night in Phoenix during a news conference to wrap up the meetings (via WEEI.com). "And it will be applied to everybody. It will be done after we get all the facts and we have all the information. We will be fair and smart about it. That is what we’ll do.”

Goodell later 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 to make any discussions or any comments about that."

The commissioner said he — not the owners — would determine any potential punishment: "The personal conduct policy is my responsibility."

Kraft was at the Phoenix meetings but didn’t talk to reporters. Goodell was seen speaking to the Pats owner but, per Pro Football Talk , the commissioner wouldn't disclose anything Kraft said to him or the owners, saying the meetings were confidential.

Earlier Tuesday, Kraft requested a jury trial in Palm Beach County, Florida, reaffirming his not-guilty plea in the high-profile case.

Even if Kraft is found not guilty in the trial, he could be subject to a fine or suspension according to NFL policy.

Bob Hille

Bob Hille Photo

Bob Hille, a senior content consultant for The Sporting News, has been part of the TSN team for most of the past 30 years, including as managing editor and executive editor. He is a native of Texas (forever), adopted son of Colorado, where he graduated from Colorado State, and longtime fan of “Bull Durham” (h/t Annie Savoy for The Sporting News mention).