The NFL has hired three domestic violence experts to serve as senior advisors for the league, commissioner Roger Goodell announced today in a statement issued to all 32 teams.

The following is from the statement issued by Goodell.

"Specifically, we have retained the services of three senior advisors - Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith - to help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault. Each brings special knowledge and experience in these issues and will ensure that our efforts reflect the professionalism that should characterize everything the NFL does.

Lisa Friel was the head of the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the New York County District Attorney's Office for more than a decade, where she investigated and prosecuted cases of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other similar forms of misconduct.

Jane Randel is the co-founder of NO MORE, a national initiative to raise the profile of and normalize the conversation about domestic violence and sexual assault.

Rita Smith is the former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Friel, Randel, and Smith will work closely with me, Anna Isaacson, Deana Garner, and others in our organization on the development and implementation of the league's policies, resources and outreach on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Friel's emphasis will be on the evaluation process of incidents of alleged domestic violence and sexual assault. She will advise me and our staff on disciplinary matters involving violations of law or of the Personal Conduct Policy.

Initially, Randel and Smith will focus on:

Overseeing the development and implementation of the NFL's domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) workplace policy;

Building on existing training curricula and education programs for all personnel, including players and non-players;

Disseminating and executing completed training programs for all 32 teams, including executives, coaches, players and staff;

Identifying and managing DV/SA resources to enhance current services such as NFL Life Line and the NFL's Employee Assistance Programs for league and club employees and their families;

Identifying and disseminating information to employees and families regarding resources outside of the NFL and clubs, including local advocacy and support organizations in each NFL community."

The decision to hire Friel, Randall, and Smith comes in wake of the league's handling of the domestic violence case including Ray Rice and his then-fiancee Janay Palmer.

A video of Rice brutally punching Palmer, now his wife, was reportedly sent to a high ranking NFL executive back in April when this incident happened. The NFL is said to not have viewed the video, and gave Rice a mere 2-game suspension.

However, TMZ.com got their hands of the tapes and released the video of Rice punching his wife in an Atlantic City, New Jersey elevator and attempting to drag her out of the elevator. When TMZ released the video for the whole world to see, Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely - a decision that will affect his career forever.

Anna Isaacson, currently the NFL's Vice President of Community Affairs and Philanthropy, has been promoted as the Vice President of Social Responsibility. She will lead the NFL's addressing of domestic violence and related social issues.

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About the author
Anthony Cardamone
At age 15, I cover the NBA, NCAA, and other topics around the sports world for VAVEL USA. You can follow me on Twitter: @ACardamoneNBA.