Tag: memo

Jay Monahan’s late-night memo to players filled with series of PGA Tour updates

Monahan had plenty to share.

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For the first time since his medical leave of absence, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan returned to the spotlight Wednesday night, sending a detailed and lengthy memo to PGA Tour membership. In the message, he detailed numerous updates on the PGA Tour, including news about the framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

To lead off, Monahan said he has fully recovered and feels stronger than ever after returning on July 17. He didn’t not describe what his medical emergency was.

In the memo, Monahan said the framework agreement is ongoing. His message provided more details about the deal, including a “Player Benefit Program,” which would be “financially significant in total and incremental to our planned compensation package.”

In addition, the memo also had a section about player discipline, which says, “A task force is evaluating developing potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV players who wish to reapply in the future.” The memo said the Player Benefit Program and player discipline were two key components in coming to a definitive agreement with the PIF.

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The memo didn’t mention whether LIV players would face penalties upon returning. PGA Tour’s chief tournaments and competitions officer Andy Pazder, Jason Gore, who in the memo was announced as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Player Officer, and Executive Vice President/vice counsel Neera Shetty are heading the task force.

Additionally, there will be a new “third-party special advisor” to players, Raine Group’s Colin Neville, who has been appointed in the wake of the framework agreement. The memo stated that Neville’s role would be to help streamline communication between the Tour and players during a “complicated and time intensive” negotiation with the PIF.

Monahan also stated the PGA Tour’s 2024 schedule will be released in two weeks during the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The Tour will return to a calendar year schedule for the first time since 2013.

Additionally, as it pertained to the USGA and R&A’s joint proposal for a Model Local Rule to roll back the golf ball, Monahan said the Tour was not able to support the rollback because of “widespread and significant belief” among Tour membership that the proposed rollback was “not warranted and not in the best interest of the game.” Monahan said the Tour is committed to working with the USGA and R&A “to arrive at a solution that will best serve our players, our fans and the game at all levels.”

Monahan also said the Tour was working to replace Randall Stephenson, who resigned because of the framework agreement. Patrick Cantlay and Webb Simpson, in addition to independent directors Mark Flaherty and Mary Meeker, are serving on a search committee to find a replacement.

NFLPA directs agents to instruct players on CDC’s COVID-19 risk factors

The NFLPA directed agents to instruct their players on the CDC’s COVID-19 risk factors and to speak to their doctors before returning to play.

The NFL Players’ Association is continuing to strive to find the best possible practices to ensure their players are able to safely return by the start of training camps at the end of July.

Most recently, the players’ union sent out a memo to NFL agents instructing them to advise players as to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions’ risk factors for COVID-19. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports the agents are required to speak with their clients on the matter by mid-July, urging them to contact their own, personal physicians prior to deciding on whether or not to play this season.

A copy of the memo is included in Pelissero’s tweet.

“Every player needs to be aware of their individual medical status as they approach a return to work,” the memo reads. Players are to be advised to contact both their personal as well as their team physicians. “Proactive engagement in this matter will help players achieve that goal.”

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NFL notifies teams there will be no in-person minicamps in June

The National Football League has now notified teams there will be no in-person minicamps this month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Football League has now taken an important step in protecting its teams, players and staff. On Thursday morning, the NFL notified all 32 clubs there would be no in-person minicamps in June as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The NFL has notified teams the virtual period for offseason work will be extended through June 26, but there will be no in-person minicamps this month, per sources,” NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweeted. “Expected, and now official.”

Pelissero also noted that clubs have the option to extend their virtual offseason program for another two weeks, up to the June 26 deadline, or to discontinue after this week.

It has been reported the NFL and the players’ union (NFLPA) are still working together to provide teams with the necessary protocols to safely reopen facilities ahead of training camps, which are still scheduled to begin at the end of July. Many options remain on the table, including shortening the preseason to just two games.

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NFL and players union agree to reopening plan for team facilities

The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed to guidelines for reopening team facilities to all players.

The NFL and the players union have agreed to a set of terms to provide for the safe reopening of team facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

A four-part memo was sent to all 32 teams which detailed protocols for clubs, per the Associated Press. Screening, testing, infection prevention and COVID-19 treatment are all addressed at length. Guidance on accessing facilities, cleaning, hygiene and team travel are also discussed.

Team facilities were closed in late March at the outset of the pandemic.

“Clubs will be required to certify that they have made the arrangements necessary to meet their obligations under these protocols,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in the memo. “And, in certain instances, to provide the details of those arrangements to be reviewed and confirmed by the jointly retained infectious disease experts at (Duke University).”

A tiered approach to return must be followed and presented to the league for approval at least seven days before the reporting date for training camps later this summer.

“No set of protocols can eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19, nor ensure that the disease itself will be mild,” Goodell stated. “And we should expect that these protocols will change as medical and scientific knowledge of the disease continues to grow. But we believe, along with the NFLPA, that these protocols offer a sound basis for bringing players back into the facilities and moving forward with our planning for the 2020 season.”

This story is continuing to develop.

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NFL coaches can begin to return to team facilities as soon as June 5

A memo sent to all 32 NFL clubs provides that coaches can begin to return to team facilities, if local authorities allow, as soon as June 5.

The 2020 NFL season is inching closer and closer to fruition. A memo sent to all 32 clubs Thursday morning provides that coaching staff can begin to return to team facilities as soon as June 5.

“This will advise that, beginning tomorrow, June 5, coaching staffs may be among the employees returning to your facilities,” the memo reads, per NFL’s Ian Rapoport. “As has been emphasized in previous advice for reopening facilities, this may occur only if your club has otherwise received necessary permission from state and local governments to reopen its facility.”

As of this date, King County – where the Seahawks’ Virginia Mason Athletic Center is located – remains in Phase One of the state’s reopening plan. An application for the county to enter a modified Phase 1.5, which could lift some restrictions, is now pending.

The memo does provide a cautionary warning to those who could be more vulnerable to the virus.

“Coaches and other football staff, particularly those who may be in a higher risk category or who have concerns about their own health conditions, are expected to speak with the club medical staff or personal physician about any special precautions or other accommodations that may be appropriate for their particular circumstances,” the memo notes. “In addition, we will work with club medical staffs to implement a program of COVID-19 testing for the coaching staff and other football personnel prior to players returning to club facilities.”

This story is continuing to develop.

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League extends NFL virtual offseason through May 29

The National Football League has announced the extension of the virtual offseason for an additional two weeks, through May 29, 2020.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the National Football League has now extended the virtual offseason for an additional two weeks. Scheduled to originally expire on May 15, the virtual offseason may now continue through May 29.

All NFL training facilities will remain closed per the league until specific protocols can be followed and each club’s state governor has allowed a reopening which would permit teams to resume in-person practice. For now, teams will continue their training remotely.

The mandate was laid out by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a memo sent to all 32 clubs. Those who had not included virtual workouts in their programs can now do so “provided players are given adequate notice to prepare for participation in the workouts.”

As of now, all offseason workout programs must conclude by June 26. However, there is a provision in place in should reopenings begin in the near future.

“In the event Club facilities reopen at some point in June, under protocols established by the League in consultation with our medical advisors, the remaining on-field portion of the program will be determined in consultation with the Joint Committee and will be promulgated to Clubs at the earliest possible date,” the memo noted.

This story is continuing to develop.

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NFL sets protocols teams must have in place for reopening facilities

The National Football League has issued a memo detailing the protocols teams must have in place for reopening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Football League has now put all 32 teams on notice of the protocols clubs must have in place by May 15 prior to the potential reopening of any facilities.

A limited number of non-player personnel would be allowed to return in the first phase of the protocol.

Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined the following requirements laid out in a memo obtained by the Associated Press.

The step-by-step requirements are:

Local and state government officials must consent to reopening.

The team must implement all operational guidelines set by the league to minimize the risk of virus transmission among employees.

Each club must acquire adequate amounts of needed supplies as prescribed by the league.

An Infection Response Team with a written plan for newly diagnosed coronavirus cases.

An Infection Control Officer to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the listed guidelines.

Each employee who returns to work at the club facility must receive COVID-19 safety and hygiene training prior to using the facility, and agree to report health information to the ICO.

“While these protocols have been carefully developed and reflect best practices,” Goodell wrote in the memo. “They can also be adapted and supplemented to ensure compliance with any state and local public health requirements.”

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NFL details protocols for reopening team facilities amidst COVID-19 pandemic

We now know the guidelines by which the Kansas City Chiefs and other teams may reopen their facilities.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently sent out a memo to all 32 NFL teams detailing the path and protocols to opening team facilities. The plan laid out by commissioner includes multi-phase guidelines that can be adapted and altered as necessary to meet the needs of individual teams based on state and local public health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also notes that this plan is being laid out in coordination with the NFLPA.

“While these protocols have been carefully developed and reflect best practices,” Goodell wrote via the AP, “they can also be adapted and supplemented to ensure compliance with any state and local public health requirements.”

Here are the step-by-step requirements for reopening currently laid out by the NFL according to the AP:

1. Local and state government officials must consent to reopening.

2. The team must implement all operational guidelines set by the league to minimize the risk of virus transmission among employees.

3. Each club must acquire adequate amounts of needed supplies as prescribed by the league.

4. An Infection Response Team with a written plan for newly diagnosed coronavirus cases. –An Infection Control Officer to oversee all aspects of the implementation of the listed guidelines.

5. Each employee who returns to work at the club facility must receive COVID-19 safety and hygiene training prior to using the facility, and agree to report health information to the ICO.

6. The response team must consist of a local physician with expertise in common infectious disease principles; the team physician can fill that role. Also on the response team will be the infection control officer, the team’s head athletic trainer; the team physician, if he or she is not serving as the local physician; the human resources director; the team’s chief of security; its mental health clinician or someone with equivalent clinical expertise; and a member of the club’s operations staff such as the facility manager.

The NFL is asking that teams have these protocols in place and ready to go by May 15, which follows the conclusion of the “virtual offseason program” that teams are currently participating in. The first phase of the protocols includes non-player employees returning to work, and they’ll have certain guidelines to follow, such as wearing face coverings in their workspace.

It’s also worth noting that the NFL won’t allow for individual teams to reopen until each team is eligible to reopen their facilities. They’ll remain at the mercy of local and state governments on that matter.

The league appears proactive in their attempts to ensure they’ll be able to start the regular season on time, but Goodell also noted in his memo that it’s, “impossible to project what the next few months will bring.”

For now, we’ll be watching and waiting to see how things progress.

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2020 NFL Draft will be ‘fully virtual’ due to coronavirus pandemic

Commissioner Roger Goodell has officially announced the 2020 NFL Draft will be a fully virtual experience due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Businesses around the world are having to make major changes to their operations in light of the coronavirus outbreak and the National Football League is no different.

In an effort to ensure the safety of all involved, NFL commission Roger Goodell has now confirmed the 2020 NFL Draft will be a “fully virtual” experience.

Goodell sent a memo out to all 32 teams Monday afternoon informing them league facilities will remain closed and coaches and general managers will be making their selections this season remotely.

“All Clubs will not have access to their facilities, which is contrary to the fundamental equity principle that all clubs operate in a consistent and fair way,” Goodell noted in the memo.

Teams will now likely be scrambling to put the necessary technology in place before the draft kicks off on April 23. It’s safe to say we can expect a glitch or two this year as everyone attempts to adjust to the new format in record time.

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2020 NFL Draft will proceed as scheduled despite pandemic

In a memo sent to all 32 teams, commissioner Roger Goodell informed clubs around the league the 2020 NFL Draft will take place as scheduled.

In light of the recent coronavirus pandemic sweeping the nation, the NFL had a difficult decision to make regarding this year’s draft. Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a memo out Thursday evening to all 32 teams confirming the 2020 NFL Draft will proceed as scheduled April 23-25.

“Apart from the CEC (Commissioner’s Executive Committee), I have personally discussed this matter with many other owners, club executives and coaches, and there is widespread support for the CEC’s conclusion,” Goodell wrote in the memo. “Everyone recognizes that public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today. I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans, and the country at large, and many of you have agreed.”

“Because of the unique circumstances in our country today, the 2020 Draft will obviously need to be conducted in a different way,” Goodell continued. “Already, we have cancelled all public events, we will not be bringing prospects and their families to the Draft, and the draft itself will be conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions.

“Our staff is certainly mindful of the operational issues this presents, and our top priority is putting in place procedures that allow all clubs to operate on a level playing field so that the draft is conducted in a way that is competitively fair to all clubs. All clubs should now be doing the necessary planning to conduct draft operations in a location outside of your facility, with a limited number of people present, and with sufficient technology resources to allow you to communicate internally, with other clubs, and with draft headquarters.”

With all the new restrictions being put in place, and out of an abundance of caution for staff and player safety, teams are going to have to make some serious preparations over the next month to coordinate such a massive event.

This story is continuing to develop.

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