Report: NFL didn't hold official vote for anthem policy
The NFL reportedly didn't hold an official vote among team owners regarding the new national anthem policy. Instead, league executives polled owners to see how they'd vote, sources who were present during the discussions Wednesday told ESPN's Seth Wickersham.
The NFL said team owners voted unanimously in favor of passing the policy, though San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York later revealed he abstained. Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis also abstained, according to Wickersham, who described the lack of a vote as "atypical for such a major resolution."
Though the process was controversial, the league followed regular protocol when it comes to votes on league issues, according to Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal.
Told NFL vote for anthem was like many. League asks if any opposed, any abstained, and then passes. In this case no nays and 1 abstention. Only closer votes require formally asking each team to state their vote.
— daniel kaplan (@dkaplanSBJ) May 24, 2018
The league's policy has been met with criticism from players, including Malcolm Jenkins - a founding member of the Players Coalition - and Chris Long.
Related: Trump to NFL players not standing for anthem: 'Maybe you shouldn't be in the country'
Meanwhile, New York Jets chairman Christopher Johnson said his team won't stop any players from protesting during the anthem despite the new rules and will bear any financial punishment from the league.