Well, that's who he works for. It puzzles me when some fans (not meaning you) seem to think commissioners in any sport are some sort of go-between or arbitrator between owners and players. They are hired by the owners and serve at their pleasure. Baseball owners outdid themselves last time by hiring Bud Selig, one of their own

There's a difference. Selig is missing a few brain cells, Goodell isn't. Goodell has levied hefty fines against head coaches and owners, far more so than Selig has. Selig is a joke, a disgrace...after a long line of inventive and charismatic commissioners, Selig is terrible. Selig is the male Sarah Palin, sans personality.

Goodell knows how much a lockout will SEVERELY harm the sport, and yet every comment, every action from his office strongly suggests wanting to crush the players union.