NFL Wanted Roger Goodell On Funny Or Die Without The Funny Part

A year ago, the NFL wanted to work with Funny or Die to create a video short with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The league just didn’t want any of the jokes that go along with it. And they certainly didn’t want the Commish treated like President Obama was on “Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis”. Again meaning, joked about.

This was all revealed by SB Nation during a SXSW panel called “Now Athletes are Funny: Power of Comedy and Sports”. Part of the panel was Funny or Die Sports executive producer Alex Richanbach. He explained how the NFL wanted to get Goodell on Funny or Die. Not long after President Obama appeared on “Between Two Ferns”, the NFL and FOD starting talking about doing something with Goodell. A “Ferns” episode was even suggested. The league was very interested and if anyone needed an image upgrade, it was Roger Goodell.

According to Richanbach, the NFL sent Funny or Die a list of talking points that had to be covered in whatever the project Goodell would end up doing. Producers told the league they could make it work but were clear that FOD is a comedy site and jokes would be made at the Commissioner’s expense. The NFL’s response? They “would not allow Roger Goodell to subject himself to ridicule by a comedian of all people”. Funny or Die reminded the league officials that Obama did it “and he’s the leader of the free world”. The league came back with “well, he’s not the commissioner of the NFL”. And the deal was off.

And as everyone can see, it was the right decision. The NFL commissioner is as popular as he’s ever been.

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