Goodell: NFL sees fans are turned off by locking

INDIANAPOLIS - The NFL is to see the first signs of cracks in fan loyalty.

Ten weeks locked out of the owners of players, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday the negative effect of the labour dispute took on pro football.

"Clearly he has had an impact on fans," Goodell said that owners finished their spring meetings. "See us in various settings." There was a significant change, TV ratings were down on the people of approximately 4 million project. NFL.com traffic (East), we see that. ?

Ticket sales is also declining.

"Fans want certainty," Goodell said. "We cannot underestimate that fans go through challenges in the economy in General."

This certainty is not likely to come soon. Both parties have a date in the 8th U.S. District Court June 3 hearing on appeal from the League to confirm the lockout. A decision probably Won't come for several weeks, and that another series of mediation sessions is expected to begin on June 7, not much expected these discussions while the appeal is being considered.

Meetings included owners of long discussions on the labour dispute, but no deadlines have been created - yet - for the opening of training camps, which usually begin at the end of July. That the ultimate date "course comes," Goodell said, unless a collective agreement.

"We have made clear that (loss of revenue) is updated and will continue to accelerate and have an impact on the ability of property to make an offer (the players) are attractive,"he says. ".

Owners were presented to the full range of plans for the opening weekend, since the first game Thursday night at Lambeau Field in commemoration of the attacks of September 11, the first full Sunday of the games. These dates are not in danger, but more the impasse, the most in danger, that they would become, particularly with marketing partners, sponsors and advertisers who need to commit $ at these events well in advance of the League.

"We are not at a date Armageddon", Eric Grubman, Executive Vice President of commercial operations of the NFL, told the Associated Press. "We are not watching that face this week.".

Several teams have already begun to consider adjusting where they hold training camp. Fifteen teams formed last summer to complexes and other facilities during the season, and some have deadlines as early as July 1 to decide whether to return the locale or hold a truncated at home training camp.

"If he dragged or there was a short camp, something like that would not inconceivable," said owner Jim Irsai Colts. Colts training camp takes place about an hour of Indianapolis to the Anderson University.

A day after the cancellation of the rookie symposium scheduled for June 26 to Canton, Ohio - the first event of NFL victimized by the lockout - Goodell reiterated the intention of the League to play a full schedule this season. He recognized the need not only to a sort of training camps, but also for a free signature Agency period once reached a new ABC.

"The uncertainty is something that we have to consider in getting players are ready to play, and we talked about different concepts", he said.

One of these concepts would extend alignments to help teams keep recruits who would not have a chance to prove their value to the training camp and the preseason.

Local journalists, concerned next February Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium, asked several owners and Goodell if the title is in danger.

"You're going to have the Super Bowl here, I am satisfied that," owner of giants, said John Mara.

"We'll approaching 2011," Goodell added, "as we would any other season."