Report: Anthem debate delaying Goodell extension

National anthem protests continue to be the defining storyline of the 2017 season, and the issue is reportedly becoming so large that everything else has fallen by the wayside.

Included in the league business that's taken a back seat is commissioner Roger Goodell's contract extension, league sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Goodell's deal is still expected to be completed, but owners are focusing all their attention on fixing the anthem issue, which they believe is affecting everything from TV ratings to merchandise sales.

"The anthem issue has overridden everything - and I do mean everything," one source told Schefter.

Goodell's extension likely would have been finalized at last week's league meetings if not for the anthem issue dominating the conversation. Owners spent only 20 minutes discussing it, added Schefter.