The NFL announced on Wednesday that they have extended NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract through March 2027. This marks the fourth time that Goodell's contract has been extended, and his previous deal was set to expire next spring.
While the NFL did not disclose any details about Goodell's new salary, it has been reported that he earned $63.9 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Additionally, ESPN has stated that the extension is expected to be "incentive-laden" and potentially the most lucrative deal ever given to any commissioner in any sport, reflecting the NFL's success under Goodell's leadership.
The average value of an NFL team has continuously increased under Goodell, with Forbes calculating it to be $5.1 billion. This represents a 14% increase from the previous year and is now at a record high.
Goodell has been serving as league commissioner since 2006 and has achieved success in securing media rights deals with companies like NBC, Fox, and Amazon. He has also been involved in creating multibillion-dollar streaming deals with YouTube for the Sunday Ticket Package. Forbes also reports that the value of NFL teams has increased by 14% this year under Goodell's leadership.
However, Goodell has faced challenges and controversy during his tenure. He has had to address concerns over player safety, particularly regarding concussions, and has grappled with the rise of activism among players, most notably with Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem. While Goodell initially expressed disagreement with Kaepernick's actions, he later stated that he wished he had listened to Kaepernick and other players earlier about what they were trying to accomplish.
In conclusion, the NFL's decision to extend Roger Goodell's contract through March 2027 reflects the league's confidence in his leadership and the success the NFL has experienced under his watch. Although Goodell has faced challenges and controversy, his ability to secure lucrative media rights deals and increase the value of NFL teams has contributed to his continued tenure as commissioner.