Roger Goodell Finalizing Extension With NFL Through 2024

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is near close to agreeing to a five-year contract extension with the league that runs through 2024, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Monday citing a source informed of the negotiations.

Roger Goodell NFL Contract Extension news

Goodell’s current deal expires in 2019. The 58-year-old — who succeeded Paul Tagliabue as commissioner in September 2006 — first began working in the league as an intern in 1982. Goodell then worked in the New York Jets’ public relations department in 1983 before rejoining the NFL in 1984 to work in the league’s PR department. During one period, Goodell was in charge of distributing media credentials for playoff games.

According to the Sports Business Journal, the terms of Goodell’s new contract would be similar to his current deal should the agreement be reached. His contract was initially extended in 2009, and then again in 2012.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that the deal has not been finalized because there are still some issues to work out and talks have not progressed as desired.

Schefter said a committee chaired by Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank has held ongoing negotiations for a new contract for Goodell since the league meetings in May. The NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2020 season, which means Goodell will be able oversee the negotiations to renew the CBA.

Goodell earned nearly $32 million in fiscal year 2015, per the NFL’s tax filing from that year. In his first ten years as commissioner, he has made $212.5 million.

Given that the NFL office has surrendered its status as a non-profit, the league is no longer required to publicly file Goodell’s salary.

Goodell has been scorned by several NFL teams and their fans for punishments he has dealt down to player for violating league rules and policies. The commissioner suspended New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for four games last season for his involvement in the “Deflate-gate” controversy, and more recently suspended Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott for an alleged domestic violence incident.

Meanwhile, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said in a recent interview that Goodell’s authority when it comes to levying punishments to players who violate league rules could become an issue when it’s time to renegotiate the CBA.

“Could [Goodell’s power] be an issue of bargaining going forward? Yes,” Smith told HBO’s Bryant Gumbel. “Is it up to the players and our leadership to decide how much weight to put on it? Absolutely.”

Goodell recently spoke out about the string of national anthem protests NFL players have been launching before preseason games this year (sitting, kneeling, raising fists, etc.) in response to racial oppression in America, particularly in the wake of the alt-right rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia earlier this month. The rally turned into violent riots that saw neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups clash with counter-protesters over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the downtown area of the city. One woman and two state troopers died as a result of the riots.

The commissioner said there is a “time and place” for such protests, although it is not on the football field. Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins are among the players who have launched national anthem protests thus far this preseason. Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick first launched the protest during a preseason game in August 2016, when he still played for the San Francisco 49ers.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 01: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with the media during a press conference for Super Bowl 51 at the George R. Brown Convention Center on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena

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