Jeff Miller was named “NFL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND POLICY” and turns yet another page on a kind of revolving door of National Football League communications leaders starting with the hiring of former Clinton Press Secretary Joe Lockhart to replace the outgoing-after-39-years legend that was Greg Aiello. But the NFL National Anthem Controversy, and Lockhart’s approach in positioning the NFL, seemed to lead to his ouster, as Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said he was glad Joe was gone.
UPDATE: Jocelyn Moore Former NFL EVP PR Exec Resurfaces With Ozone X Venture Capital
Jeff is currently an NFL EVP overseeing Player Health & Safety, but with today’s announcement, Miller will also add to his portfolio Communications, Public Affairs, and Policy – the “policy” area also includes the player health and safety portfolio.
Then, on June 27, 2019, Jocelyn Moore was elevated from NFL lobbyist to the Executive Vice President Of Communications role, becoming the first African American and woman to be in that position for the League. Then, whatever happened, it was strange. By contrast with the departures of Aielo and Lockhart, Moore’s departure was not announced. Reportedly, she did not show up to the League PR Meeting at the NFL Combine, and yet her photo was still in position as Executive Vice President Of Communications. Very strange, but whatever the case, I wish her well.
Now, enters Jeff Miller. The NFL reports:
NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL today tapped JEFF MILLER as the league’s new Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs and Policy.
Miller will be responsible for managing the league’s communications and public affairs. He will maintain his health and safety portfolio in addition to taking on his new role. Miller will continue to report directly to Commissioner Goodell.
“Jeff’s experience – from policy development, to government relations and philanthropic endeavors, as well as continuing to champion our highest priority, the health and safety of players – makes him the right fit, especially today,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Jeff has the trust and confidence of club ownership, partners, and league colleagues alike, as health and safety efforts have collaborated with the competition committee and the football community at all levels.”
Since being named Executive Vice President of Health and Safety Initiatives in 2012, Miller has led the league’s ongoing efforts to improve the safety of the game. During his tenure, the league has driven innovation in protective equipment technologies and in the use of data and engineering to advance the game itself through rules changes and technique, in addition to supporting independent medical research and advancing overall player wellness. In 2016, the NFL and its 32 club owners pledged $100 million to fund those efforts as part of its commitment to continuously evolve the way football is taught and played, an initiative Miller has forwarded. The latest examples of that progress were on display last season when the league saw nearly 100 percent of players choose top-performing helmets, the permanent adoption of safety-focused kickoff rules changes, and a partnership with AWS poised to transform player health and safety using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Miller launched the league’s Washington office as Senior Vice President in charge of Governmental and Public Affairs. In that role, he was the primary representative to federal and state governments, interacting regularly with the White House, Congress, and administrative agencies, as well as coordinating with clubs on interactions with governors, mayors and state legislatures. Inspired by Zack Lystedt’s story and his family’s advocacy, Miller led a national campaign to pass youth sports concussion laws in all 50 states. He also oversaw creation of the league’s philanthropic organization, NFL Foundation, and managed the league’s community relations department.
Prior to joining the NFL, Miller spent a decade on Capitol Hill where he was Chief Counsel and Staff Director for the Antitrust and Business Competition Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. He earned his J.D. from University of Chicago Law School and his B.A. from University of Pennsylvania.
Jeff Miller is a good man for the helm and a long-time NFL executive who goes all the way back to my effort to bring the Super Bowl to Oakland. I wish him well.
Stay tuned.