“The Boss” (not Bruce Springsteen) is gonna be around for a while longer.
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell signed a contract extension on Wednesday, and will remain on (at least that’s the intension) through March 2027, the league announced (NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell Agree to New Contract Through 2027).
Goodell, 64, has been the commissioner of the most popular league in the U.S. since 2006, following the ever-popular Paul Tagliabue. This is Goodell’s fourth extension – others were almost every three years (in 2009, 2012, then in 2017).
Goodell doesn’t seem to be as popular: he is regularly booed by crowds at NFL games and events, including the NFL Draft when he opens the draft annually.
Goodell’s comment on the extension: “It really was quite simple, honestly,” Goodell said of the process involved for the extension. “It was just a matter of getting to it, frankly. It wasn’t much of a discussion. It was pretty quick. I’m obviously honored to do this job.
“…”Listen, there are a lot of challenges out there, but there are also a lot of opportunities for us. We’re focused on how we make the NFL better every day, how we become a global sport. I think some very exciting things are happening in that context. I feel really good about where the National Football League is today, but we don’t sit around and tell ourselves that. We really focus on the things that we need to do.”
Although financials were not disclosed, reports have Goodell’s salary averaging about $64 million.
Of all the things Goodell is responsible for spearheading, the expansion of the season to 17 games and the league’s new $100 billion media rights deal is likely what his supporters in the league will point to as his biggest recent success. His detractors might point out controversies over discipline of players and the ongoing concussion/ CTE issue as things Goodell could have handled better.
