NFL owners have voted to give Commissioner Roger Goodell the power to issue multi-million dollar fines to teams that do not comply with league rules requiring an individual own at least 30% of a club and have autonomy on team matters. The measure is seen primarily as a tool to compel aging owners and their families to be more proactive about estate planning. The league hopes to avoid more damaging intra-family legal fights over succession in the future. The vote was not unanimous, per sources -- Bengals Owner Mike Brown voted against it and there were multiple abstentions. However, the measure enjoyed widespread support. Under the new policy, teams can be fined $5M to start, and up to $10M annually, if they stay out of compliance. Individual owners can be fined $1M, and then $2M on an ongoing basis. Until now, fines have maxed out in the low six figures. One amendment to the original proposal guarantees teams a meeting with the owners Finance Committee, led by Chiefs CEO & Chair Clark Hunt, before any punishments are imposed. The measure also guarantees teams a chance to fix the problem before being fined.
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