DENVER _ Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is holding up a contract extension for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and star running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension is a factor, according to a source.
It is in line with an ESPN report on Sunday that Jones is impeding Goodell's contract negotiations.
Goodell was reportedly close to an agreement on a five-year extension last month. But that was before an angry Jones, an unofficial seventh member of the NFL's six-man compensation committed, interjected himself in the process.
Jones _ who already felt the commissioner made to too much and told the owners as much during an owners' meeting in March, per Pro Football Talk _ believes Goodell lied to him regarding the Elliott investigation into domestic violence allegations of former girlfriend Tiffany Thompson.
Per a source, Goodell told Jones there would be no suspension, which was at the root of his confidence that that the NFL had no evidence and there would be no discipline.
So Jones' disappointment and anger were palpable when Goodell announced a six-game suspension for Elliott on Aug. 11.
It's not so much that Elliot was suspended but that he was misled, resulting in a breach of trust.
Now, Jones is not only interested in reducing Goodell's pay but possibly his job.
Jones has immense power and influence over the owners, considering the impact he had on the stadium deal in Los Angeles and the subsequent relocations of Rams and Chargers, as well as the Oakland Raiders pending move to Las Vegas.
This is not even including the sway he has with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers because they use his marketing and hospitality company with their new stadiums.
The situation could come to a head on a conference call Wednesday when the compensation committee will discuss a term proposal for Goodell, per ESPN.
Jones will be on the call.
