Ethical Issues In Sports

Ethics in business requires an analysis of values for an organization and individuals. Effective leaders and managers must be aware of morals, values, and ethical decision making abilities. Integrity and character is what is sought in leaders and is identified as the number on attribute identified by most leaders, Kouzes and Posner (2007). A dilemma in ethical decision making occurs when values are selected over one another, compromising integrity. Instead on selecting precedence over one another a careful process must be established to have harmony in decision making. An ethical dilemma has to be facilitated with guidelines with a set conduct to combat conflict. Driscoll and Hoffman (2000) speak of a code of conduct to clarify missions of

Considering Goodell’s past track record involving ethical decision making he is known for setting strict rules when it comes to organizational behavior. For example, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson was suspended without pay for the remainder of 2014 season for a conviction for violation in personal conduct policy. The actual incident involved Peterson disciplining his child resulting in the manifestation of marks and bruises on his back and legs, “Roger Goodell explains details of Adrian Peterson suspension in letter”,CBSSports . Further violations will result in Peterson’s banishment from the NFL completely. Due to recent infractions of NFL players, Goodell reconstructed a new personal conduct policy. In regards to conduct the policy reads as “Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and subject to discipline, even where conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime”, (NFL Personal Conduct

The public’s view of the commissioner’s decision resulted in a public outcry and even the dismissal of the commissioner for having initially such a light punishment for such a harsh crime by Ray Rice. Rice returned only to be suspended again after the commissioner reviewed his case caused by pressure from media, fans, shareholders, and the release of video footage of the incident. This action on the second suspension was more reactionary instead of precautionary. The incident presented several ethical dilemmas. Essentially Roger Goodell dealt out two punishments for one incident which reflects uncertainty in his own policies. Barbara S. Jones, former District Court Judge stated, “that wasn’t fair and that the league could not punish someone twice for the same offense”, "Ray Rice Ruling Highlights Roger Goodell’s Missteps." The New York Times. Another aspect of Goodell’s dilemma stands in the responsibility in the core ethics of his own policy and letting outside influences dictate his own actions. A third aspect is that the commissioner appears to be bias in his actions in two different cases but both involve domestic abuse with two different extremes in