Although he levied record fines and penalties against the Patriots, Goodell downplayed the significance of the tapes in his Super Bowl press conference. He said one of the tapes included an opposing coach "waving at the camera, indicating they almost knew they were being taped.
"I think as far as the actual effectiveness of taping signals from opposing football teams or other sports is something that's done, and done quite widely, and teams prepare for that," Goodell said. "I think it probably had little effect, if any effect, on the outcome of any game."
Asked why he punished the Patriots so harshly, Goodell said: "That doesn't change my perspective of if you are violating the rules, you should be punished for that. You should be disciplined, and I think we did that very aggressively."
Goodell said he did not believe the tapes contributed to any of the franchise's three Super Bowl championships because the tapes were from 2007 preseason games and "primarily from late in the 2006 season" although he did not indicate if one of the exhibition games was against the Giants.
The Patriots and Giants play in the Super Bowl tomorrow and a win would cap off a perfect season for New England, only the second in league history (the 1972 Miami Dolphins). Goodell said the team's accomplishment hasn't been tarnished. "I think what they did this season was certainly done within the rules on a level playing field."
In answering 11 questions specific to the "Spygate" scandal, Goodell also defended the league's actions in destroying the tapes, a decision that has come under scrutiny from Senator Arlen Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania.
"I think there are very good explanations for the reason why I destroyed the tapes or had them destroyed by our staff," Goodell said, noting he is willing to meet with Specter. "They were totally consistent with what the team told me. There was no purpose for them. I believe it was helpful in making sure my instructions were followed closely, by not only the Patriots but also by every other team. I think it was the appropriate thing to do. Our discipline sent a loud message."
