Goodell has always been the arbitrator of last resort in the CBA in most respects. So was Tagliabue. The language did not change. What did change was Roger availing himself of it more often and inventing new levels of sentencing based on the public reaction.
There are other areas where grievances are sent to a neutral arbitrator, but they are limited to contracts I believe. Drug and Alcohol and Conduct have never had outside arbitration.
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