USA TODAY Sports
Commissioner Roger Goodell has the power to personally handle Deshaun Watson’s appeal hearing. He will not exercise it.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Goodell will not handle Watson’s appeal. He will assign the matter to someone outside the league office.
We don’t know who it is. A decent guess would be Mary Jo White, given that she has recently handled several “independent investigations” for the NFL, and in light of the fact that she does a very good job of giving her client what they want.
Regardless of the specific name of the person retained to handle Watson’s appeal, the key to getting more such work is to give the customer what they want. Even if the league calls the person “independent,” they really aren’t. They will have some kind of hope for an ongoing business relationship with the league, and that will influence the decision-making process.
A separate source with knowledge of the process suggested that the designated person for the appeal will likely be Condolleezza Rice, who is scheduled to officially become part owner of the Broncos next week. Then again, she wouldn’t really be independent; is about to become a shareholder in one of the league’s teams. His reputation, however, would make it easier for the league to sell the media and fans that he could put other interests aside and make the right decision.
That said, Rice is an admitted Browns fan. Rice recently commented on the disciplinary process, advocating the importance of keeping an open mind but acknowledging the seriousness of the matter.