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National Football League owners on Wednesday unanimously endorsed what they called a tougher personal conduct policy following a spate of domestic violence cases involving players that harmed the league's reputation.

Commissioner Roger Goodell, who came under fire for mishandling punishment particularly in the Ray Rice case, will no longer make initial disciplinary rulings for off-field misdeeds. That job will fall to a new, to-be-named league officer with a criminal justice background. But Goodell retains a key part of his power, by hearing any appeals of disciplinary decisions made under the policy.

Other changes include a "more extensive" list of prohibited conduct and NFL-funded counseling and services for victims, families and violators, Goodell said.

America's most popular sports league has struggled with a personal conduct policy widely seen as too lenient on NFL personnel accused of crimes including violence against wome