6 takeaways from Goodell's state of the league press conference

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spent 45 minutes fielding questions from media members assembled at the site of the 51st Super Bowl on Wednesday. Of the wide-ranging topics of discussion, here are six of the most important notes from the state of the league address:

Goodell dodges Trump, travel ban questions

Goodell was asked what the league's stance is on President Donald Trump's 90-day travel ban to the United States from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Sunday's Super Bowl will feature at least one Muslim player, Atlanta Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu.

"We're aware of the conversations that are going on. As commissioner, I'm singularly focused on the Super Bowl right now," Goodell responded.

Goodell was also asked a pointed question about Trump, but he dodged any reference to the U.S. president.

Deflategate and relationship with New England

Is the commissioner avoiding Foxborough?

After imposing a four-game ban on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Goodell has yet to appear at a game in New England, even choosing to attend playoff games in Atlanta for two consecutive weeks.

Goodell stood by the final Deflategate ruling and hoped to shut the door on that discussion.

"We're moving on from that. That's part of our history, but I'm confident with our decision," he said.

As for the perceived tension that exists between him and the Patriots, especially with New England competing in Super Bowl LI?

"I would tell you that it's not awkward at all for me," Goodell said. "We have a job to do. We do our job."

Goodell would not directly respond to a question about whether he has spoken to Brady since the suspension wrapped up, opting instead to state that he frequently holds conversations with players. He also said he'd have no problem making a return to Gillette Stadium.

"If I'm invited back to Foxborough, I'll come," he said.

Developmental league

The league has been actively discussing and researching the viability of a developmental league that would exist between the levels of college and pro football.

"Yes, we've discussed at length the alternative of creating a developmental league," Goodell confirmed.

He added that such a league would act to develop players, coaches, trainers, and other vital positions in the game in order to improve the quality of those involved.

"The developmental league is something that we're actively considering."

Marijuana and drug policy

The NFLPA is interested in a less punitive approach to recreational marijuana use in the NFL and Goodell said the league "would love to engage" with the union on such a topic.

The commissioner said the current labor agreement in place has worked well for players, clubs, and the game, but the union countered by stating the drug policy can be changed without renegotiating the CBA.

Ratings, commercials, and Thursday Night Football

On the subject of the league's fluctuating ratings this season, Goodell said the league has not dismissed any theory on how to engage fans more extensively, and that includes making alterations to the flow of the game.

Goodell will have the competition committee look at improving the use of instant replay. One possibility is to bring tablets to sidelines rather than sending referees to a replay booth in order to resume the game as soon as possible. He also said implementing a clock that would start at the end of an extra point and go until the kickoff is an option.

He also raised the idea of cutting down the number of commercial breaks in a quarter.

"We think less is more in this area," Goodell said.

Thursday Night Football, however, remains something the league is very committed to, with Goodell reiterating he believes the quality of games played on Thursdays is high. The league may fix the rotation between networks to ensure fans have no problem determining which channel the game will be on. The NFL may also go away from making all 32 teams participate in the Thursday night package.

Raiders in Las Vegas

The league has yet to make a determination about Las Vegas as an NFL market. While the Raiders have jump started the relocation process, Goodell said a "there's a great deal of more work to be done" and therefore studies will intensify on the depth of the market and the stadium project.

But can gambling coexist with the NFL? Goodell appeared to make a concession.

"In fact it does, it's happening today," he said. "It exists throughout our world. We need to make sure there's a fine line between team sports gambling and the NFL."

The Raiders stadium project in Las Vegas has hit a snag, however, as billionaire Sheldon Adelson and investment bank Goldman Sachs have both dropped out. A move to San Diego has opened as an option, but Goodell said a resolution to the city's stadium problem would still need to be found.