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NFL offers voluntary buyouts in headquarters as playoffs near
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL offers hundreds of voluntary buyouts in headquarters as playoffs near

Coaches aren't the only ones losing their jobs in the NFL right now.
On Monday, the NFL offered voluntary buyouts to more than 200 employees in its league office, according to a report from Terry Lefton at Sports Business Journal. 

Those offered the package were chosen through a formula, said Lefton, "that added service time to the number 50," and anyone with a score above 70 would be qualified.

In a memo published by Lefton, the league has stated that it is focusing on areas of key investment, though it does not explain areas not making an impact on the business:

"The league has worked to adapt to the changing business environment, aligning resources with key investment opportunities, and are continuously evaluating ways to enhance efficiency and improve outcomes. Together we have defined the League’s strategic priorities and identified areas for significant growth and investment.  Those areas – such as international expansion, the growth of flag football, and the continued development of media and digital platforms – will help shape the future of the game.  And the internal operations – how we operate, where we invest our capital, and the workforce – must evolve to align with these strategic priorities to best position the League for continued success.”

Anyone who has ever been laid off knows that voluntary buyouts tend to be the precursor to involuntary dismissals. Generally, those who do not accept the buyouts are among the first to be let go when employers begin layoffs. It remains to be seen how deep the staffing cuts will be for league employees, but certainly, there's going to be a drop in morale everywhere the league itself does business.

This isn't the first round of layoffs by the league within the last year. It dismissed a few dozen employees (estimated to be 5%) from its offices and studios in Los Angeles last March, just weeks after having the Super Bowl in town.

The news is a shock when considering how well the billions that the NFL reaps each year from its multiple broadcast deals and sponsorships. Though all eyes are focused on the upcoming playoffs and the growing list of head coach openings, very few people will even think about those who keep the machine running at the league office itself. The reality is that America's most popular entertainment company is no different than any other multibillion company that responds to the whims of stockholders (though it's not publicly listed) or technological trends.

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