NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has agreed to a four-year contract extension that will last until the end of the 2030 league season on March 31, 2031. The NFL’s Compensation Committee informed the full ownership of this agreement on Sunday.
According to a memo obtained by The Associated Press and sent to owners, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his satisfaction with the extension, stating, “We believe we are very fortunate to have Roger at the helm for the next four years.” Kraft, who chairs the league’s compensation committee, highlighted that an independent third-party compensation consultant and outside counsel were involved in the negotiation process to structure a deal that ties Goodell’s compensation to the long-term interests and success of the League. More than 95% of the total compensation is linked to performance metrics of both Goodell and the NFL, subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
The financial terms of Goodell’s new contract have not been disclosed at this time. For the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, he reportedly earned $63.9 million. Goodell, aged 67, has been the commissioner since 2006, succeeding Paul Tagliabue. Notably, this marks his fifth contract extension. He initially started his NFL career as an administrative intern in 1982 under then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
During Goodell’s tenure, the NFL has experienced remarkable growth in popularity and revenue. Recent sales of the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion in 2023 and the Seattle Seahawks for $9.612 billion this season have set new records. The league’s global presence has expanded, evidenced by a record nine international games scheduled for this season.
The expiration of Goodell’s contract aligns with the conclusion of the current collective bargaining agreement, which is also set to expire in March 2031.
