(Updates with additional answers)

Reuters correspondent Ben Klayman is interviewing the commissioners of the U.S. National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association at the Reuters Media Summit in New York this week.

Question: Theron Schultz says:
How does each league plan to attract fans to stadiums in the face of new technology allowing fans more control over how they view games? Specifically, as my control over my “personal” broadcast via Internet increases, what incentive is there to pay to go to the game when anything I want is literally at my fingertips?

Answer: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at the Reuters Media Summit:
“It is a good question and it is actually something that is really important to us, which is to keep the stadium experience. We don’t want it to become a studio game.

“We think — it actually was evident Monday night — when you tuned in the television set and you were watching the (snow fall during the) Seattle-Green Bay game.

“Most people probably had an immediate reaction that this game was in (often wintry) Green Bay. But it was in (often rainy) Seattle. It just adds to the atmosphere when you see the elements (cold weather). But also when you see the enthusiasm that comes through the television set with a full, enthusiastic crowd.

“We want to make sure we attract people to our stadiums and entertain them in the facilities. It does become more challenging when there are more media opportunities and there is more access.

“It is the first reason we have such an emphasis on building new facilities…Our facilities have to be outstanding. Depending on where you want to start counting … somewhere around three-quarters of our league has new facilities (stadiums). We think that’s terrific for our sport

“Second - There’s no reason why you can’t use new technology at the stadiums, which we have done quite successfully. (For example, there is) Kangaroo Television - where fans can come into stadium and rent a device - essentially a large PDA (personal digital assistant) - and they can get more access, more data, and they can get more angles on television.

“(Fans) can see what’s happening in other games. So it’s our challenge to make sure that those fans are entertained… and they have opportunities to come in and follow the NFL as you might at home with other devices.”

Question: Michael Wagner says: 
Are you planning on implementing fair practices to keep small-market teams viable in today’s world? Being a huge Buffalo Bills fan, there is constant worry on the fan’s part that the city will lose the team due to the emergence in clout of large-market teams that can pay their players and stuff huge amounts of money, or have expensive stadiums built. 
 
Answer: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
“Revenue sharing is the fundamental premise and foundation for the league’s success in large markets and in small markets. By sharing our revenue at such a high level we have been able to make sure that our teams have the capability of being able to be successful on the field, to afford to put the best players on the field, to put the best coaching staffs on the field, to have the best facilities and that ultimately is what allows our teams to compete.”
 
Question: Jack G says: 
Do you believe the NFL Network is setting its negotiations properly without coming across as greedy?
    
Answer: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
“It’s disappointing to us also. We want to be on the broadest possible television platforms. We’re continuing to work with the cable operators that haven’t agreed with us on distribution terms, but we think ultimately the consumers will demand this product and the cable operators will have to find a way to get that to them.”
    
Question: Patrick says: 
Malcolm Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has bought up a good-sized stake in U.K. soccer (football) franchise, Manchester United. What do you make of that investment? Does it signal a “market top” as far as NFL franchises go?
 
Answer: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:
“Ultimately, franchise values are based on the success of the league overall, and supply and demand. Because we only have 32 franchises, I think there will always be people who are interested in owning these assets. They are terrific entertainment opportunities. They are unique in their markets. They play a role in their markets that unifies a community in that it’s more than just a financial investment or economic investment. It’s an opportunity to own one of the most cherished assets in the world. We have not seen any, I’ll call it restrictions or limited interest in our franchises. As they become available, there’s a great deal of interest in acquiring them. We know people who are interested in acquiring them if the opportunity arises.” 
 
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