Report: Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft have heated discussion over Goodell deal
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft were involved in a fiery exchange Tuesday over discussions about a potential new contract for commissioner Roger Goodell, sources told ESPN's Seth Wickersham.
The exchange came amid NFL owners voting 31-1 to allow the compensation committee to begin negotiations on a new deal for Goodell.
Jones, who was the only owner to vote against the measure, reportedly told Kraft, "Don't f--- with me" after the latter joined the other owners in the vote. Kraft responded with, "Excuse me?" before Jones followed up with, "Don't mess with me."
The Cowboys owner's disagreement over a new deal for the commissioner is due to the structure of compensation, Wickersham adds. Jones is reportedly troubled that bonuses in the commissioner's future deal won't be tied to clear financial goals.
Jones was at the forefront of an effort that saw Goodell's previous contract structure pivot from salary-based to mainly bonus-oriented.
Goodell, who's under contract through 2024, reportedly was paid nearly $128 million over the last two fiscal years. His income was aided by bonuses triggered by settling media contracts and the new 10-year collective bargaining agreement.