"The speakers blasted out "The Theme From Star Wars," filling the entire hotel ballroom. "Hail To The Chief" would have been more appropriate.

The most powerful man in American sports walked in. He stepped onto the stage as large as an airfield and strode to the lectern. A hundred or more television cameras traced his steps. Then he worked the crowd. Solo.

His name is Roger Goodell.

He is commissioner of the NFL, and he appeared smug and satisfied.

His league, after pretty much winning a nasty, bitter labor war, has settled on labor peace for the next decade. It is, according to Goodell, leading a national effort in the study and prevention of concussions.

Its in-house NFL Network has plans to expand its national television game coverage next season. And if certain cable companies refuse to pay the fee for access, well, that's just tough."