NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been among the most divisive executives in professional sports since taking over that role from Paul Tagliabue back in 2006.
Goodell’s tenure has been filled with a combination of labor strife with the NFLPA and issues pertaining to player discipline. He’s also overseen a dramatic growth of the brand beyond the United States borders.
That latter point is a backdrop to a recent report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating that Goodell is set to finalize a contract extension with NFL owners at next week’s league meetings in Arizona.
“Goodell’s extension has been in the works since last season, when the compensation committee was granted permission by the full membership to get an extension done, according to sources. The sides have discussed a three-year extension, according to sources, but no length of time is agreed to yet,” report on looming Roger Goodell contract extension.
Goodell’s base salary is said to be worth $35 million annually. Though, his current contract is incentive laden. It’s been noted multiple times that he earns as much as $63.9 million per year.
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Roger Goodell contract extension and financial health of the NFL
As we pointed out above, it’s all about the economics for league owners. This includes a current $100-plus billion media right deal with CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN and Amazon Prime.
The NFL made an estimated $11.1 billion revenue for the 2021 season. That’s more than any other professional sports league in North America.
Despite the drama that has surrounded Goodell during his time with the league, his ability to help it move forward financially can’t overstated. That’s especially true with the economic downtick that came with the COVID-centric 2020 season.
The NFLPA and its players might not be happy that Roger Goodell is nearing a three-year contract extension. But that’s also precisely why owners are going to vote in favor of it next week. In reality, he continues to oversee a growing brand while the Players’ Association has been weakened under executive director DeMaurice Smith. For the NFL and its owners, this is a win-win.