Roger Goodell Gets Contract Extension

Added on Jan 25, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

NFL owners have agreed to extend the contract of Commissioner Roger Goodell through March of 2019. Finalizing the new deal was a formality after a unanimous December vote paved the way to begin the negotiation process. This marks the second such extension for Goodell, who received his first in 2009, three years after inking his original 5-year deal in 2006.

The Compensation Committee, which consists of six league owners, dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on the new contract. Falcons owner and Committee Chairman Arthur Blank offered glowing praise for Goodell.

“I speak on behalf of 32 NFL club owners in saying we are fortunate to have Roger Goodell as our commissioner,” Blank said. “Since becoming commissioner in 2006, the NFL — already the leader in professional sports — has gotten even stronger. As evidenced by this contract extension, we have great confidence in Roger’s vision and leadership of the NFL. Our clubs, players and fans could not ask for a better CEO.”

During Goodell’s brief tenure, the league has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. He successfully helped to spearhead an unprecedented 10-year collective bargaining agreement and secured broadcast renewal rights with FOX, CBS and NBC for the next nine years.

“It is a privilege for me to serve the NFL,” Goodell said. “It is the only place I have ever wanted to work. I am grateful for the contributions and counsel of NFL owners in managing our league, the talented staff that supports us, and the players and coaches that perform their magic on the field. It is truly a team effort. I am eagerly looking ahead to the challenge of building on our momentum and doing all we can to improve our game for the fans and everyone that is part of our league.”

Goodell has also gone out of his way to improve player health on and off the field by implementing stricter rules to discourage illegal hits and harsher penalties for those found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs. However, a significant portion of players and fans have taken umbrage with policies that soften the physical nature of football. Regardless, the Commish is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

Source: NFL.com