It has been in the works for pretty much a calendar year. Roger Goodell remaining on as the NFL Commissioner through the 2027 league year.
We’re now on the verge of seeing this happen. According to Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports, the divisive NFL head os on track for a three-year extension that could be finalized as soon as the owner’s meetings in New York City next week.
This really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Goodell as overseen unprecedented growth of the NFL brand since taking over as commissioner back in 2006. NFL revenue reached nearly $12 billion during the 2022 fiscal year compared to $6.5 billion the year before he took over for Paul Tagliabue in that role.
Roger Goodell contract extension and what it means
Once Goodell is officially handed an extension, his career earnings in that role will end up being north of $700 million. While the NFL head earns a salary of $35 million annually under his contract, incentives have brought the figure up to an estimated $63.9 million per year. This makes him the highest-paid sports executive in North America.
“We’ll work as quickly as we can. We’ll do the thorough job as a committee that we need to do, and we’ll approve it when it’s ready,” Roger Goodell said about his pending contract extension back in May.
Once approved, it will be another win for the league and its owners over the NFLPA after years of strife surrounding Goodell’s power. That includes the role in player discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy and other matters.
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All of this comes with new NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell having replaced DeMaurice Smith in that role this past summer.
Smith and Goodell butted heads multiple times as rival factions during plenty of collective bargaining negotiations. That included a brief work stoppage back in 2011.
From a broader perspective, Goodell’s role as NFL Commissioner has been a boon for the league. In addition to record revenue, this includes a $100-plus billion media rights deal with CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN and Amazon Prime. The league has also become a brand internatinally with games being played in the United Kingdom, Germany and Mexico.