Roger Goodell signs extension as NFL commissioner

By Joe Romano | Dec 6, 2017

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 19: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft talks with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell prior to the game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders at Estadio Azteca on November 19, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /

The NFL has locked up their commissioner for the foreseeable future. Roger Goodell had his contract extended by the NFL on Wednesday.

After what felt like a lengthy battle with the league, Roger Goodell will remain as commissioner of the NFL. Goodell has officially signed his contract extension according to ProFootballTalk.

Goodell has been working in the NFL in some capacity since 1982 under former commissioner Pete Rozelle. He was part of the league’s office for the next commissioner’s administration under Paul Tagliabue. Prior to the 2006 season, Goodell was voted to take over for Tagliabue. In a tight race Goodell prevailed after five voting rounds.

In May, the league voted unanimously to extend Goodell’s contract. Since that time, the Compensation Committee made up of six league owners and lead by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, have been working on the contract extension.

Reports surfaced of lavish requests made by Goodell for his upcoming contract extension. Those requests were met by harsh criticism in the media. The NFL also came out and denied that those requests have been made.

ProFootballTalk cites interesting language in the memo sent out by the committee on the contract extension for Goodell.

"The memorandum to all owners explains that a “binding contract extension has been signed by the Commissioner and by Arthur Blank, on behalf of the League entities.” The memo also cites the existence of a “nearly unanimous consensus” among the owners in favor of finalizing the extension now."

The nearly unanimous consensus seems to speak to the fight the committee had ongoing with Dallas Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones. The outspoken owner all but threatened a coup from other owners if this contract was signed. In the end Jones did not have enough owners on his side to derail this from happening. Shea Corrigan broke down the bizarre exchanges in detail here.

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Goodell will be the NFL’s commissioner going forward for another five years. He will retain his power appointed to him by the owners and NFLPA. The “most powerful man in sports” will be here to stay until at least 2023.