Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized the NFL’s handling of violence against women among its players Friday, calling for an end to the league’s indefinite antitrust exemption.
Blumenthal cited several examples of what he sees as the NFL’s lax response to domestic violence and assault, referencing incidents involving players such as Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Reuben Foster.
“The investigations by the NFL have been completely inadequate, sometimes involving downplaying or degrading evidence and treating these incidents with hapless leniency,” Blumenthal said at a press conference. “It approaches hypocrisy and hubris in a way that really requires some explanation from the NFL.”
Blumenthal said he would reintroduce a bill that would eliminate the NFL’s guaranteed antitrust exemption, which allows the league (along with other pro sports circuits) to act as a monopoly, negotiating deals such as television contracts on behalf of its 32 teams. Under Blumenthal’s proposed legislation, first floated in 2014, the NFL would have to renew its antitrust exemption every four years.
The senator said the NFL’s antitrust exemption should be contingent on its response to societal issues such as domestic violence. He suggested the league hire an independent investigative body to look into accusations against its players and asked that all findings be made public.
Friday’s press conference followed a 10-day stretch during which the Washington Redskins claimed linebacker Reuben Foster two days after he was arrested for domestic battery and TMZ published video of Hunt, a Chiefs running back, assaulting a woman in a hotel hallway in February. (Following public outcry, the Chiefs released Hunt, who remains a free agent.)
The NFL, led by commissioner Roger Goodell, has been criticized for its investigation into Hunt, which did not result in discipline for the running back. Goodell has not yet commented on the recent video or the NFL’s investigation, but the league office said in a statement that it “continues to pursue a complete understanding of the facts.”
Joining Blumenthal on Friday were incoming state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, who serves as director of health professional outreach at the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence, and Mary Jane Foster, president and CEO of the Interval House domestic-violence shelter.
Foster said the NFL’s response to violence against women signals to victims, including in Connecticut, that their experiences won’t be taken seriously.
“It provides a real chilling effect on women coming forward and reporting assault because they’re not believed and they are shamed,” Foster said.
Blumenthal also shared a letter addressed to Goodell in which he criticizes the NFL’s “inadequate response” to the incidents involving Hunt and Reuben Foster and asks the NFL to consider sanctions for teams that don’t enforce rules concerning player conduct.
