Goodell: Recession has helped league

The recession has been good for the NFL, according to commissioner Roger Goodell, who said it has helped build TV audiences for games.

Speaking on an episode of CBS's 60 Minutes to be aired Sunday, Goodell said nearly 60 million people tuned in to watch Sunday's conference championships because of the lingering recession and high unemployment.

"People want to feel part of a group, feel like they're connected, and right now during these difficult times, they can turn on free television and watch the greatest entertainment that's out there," Goodell said. "They can forget their worries for just a few hours."

Goodell also said he was concerned about getting fans to come to the stadium rather than watching at home.

"Our biggest challenge going forward is how do we get people to come to our stadiums because the experience is so great at home," he says. "When you turn on [a football game], you want to see a full stadium."

The NFL recently signed nine-year extensions with its broadcast partners and could bring in as much as $3 billion in broadcast revenues by 2022. The league's overall revenues for this year are projected to exceed $10 billion.

This week, Goodell was given a five-year contract extension that keeps him employed through March 2019.

Former Minnesota coach Brad Childress has found work, thanks to his Philly connection. Browns coach Pat Shurmur hired Childress, a close friend from the seven seasons they were together on Andy Reid's staff with the Eagles, as his offensive coordinator.

New England tight end Rob Gronkowski was absent from practice Friday, the second straight day he has missed with an injured left ankle.

New York running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot injury) returned to practice Friday, but wideout Hakeem Nicks was not seen going through drills for a second straight day. Nicks told reporters after practice that he suffered a shoulder injury.

- Inquirer wire services