NFL expected to finalize multi-year extension for Roger Goodell to remain commissioner: report

Roger Goodell is expected to receive a multi-year contract extension to remain the commissioner of the NFL at next week’s owners meetings in Phoenix, according to ESPN.

Tuesday afternoon is when the league’s compensation committee is expected to propose the extension to team owners for approval. Only one member from each team is permitted at the “special privileged session,” ESPN reported.

The NFL declined comment to Fox News Digital.

Goodell’s extension was discussed to be three years, per ESPN, but no specific time was agreed to yet. This has been worked on since last season.

With the NFL’s financial success, ESPN reported that Goodell’s extension is expected to be incentive-laden but also the most lucrative deal a commissioner has gotten in any sport. It will also be his fourth extension since taking over as commissioner in 2006.

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It was speculated that Goodell’s 2017 extension would be his final one, especially after the tumultuous process it went through. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones even threatened a lawsuit against the league, which eventually resulted in him being fined. 

However, Goodell has kept the peace among owners and players after facilitating the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in 2020 and goes through the 2023 season. That includes changes to the league’s revenue distribution, increases in player benefits and health as well as safety improvements.

It also led the league to add an extra game to the regular season.

Goodell’s efforts also aided in the billions of dollars that were gained for media rights from Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Amazon and now YouTube, who will have the league’s Sunday Ticket package for games.

Goodell’s tenure hasn’t all been smooth, though. Player safety remains a high concern for the league, particularly in the area of concussions. While the NFL was slow to acknowledge the effects of the game has had on current and former players, recent instances, including the situation with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this past season, brought about more controversy within the sport regarding the proper steps taken when head injuries occur.

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The lack of diversity among NFL head coaches, general managers and team presidents is something that Goodell has said is “unacceptable” but remains a current issue.

ESPN added that this could be the final deal for the 64-year-old Goodell.

The league could look into finding a potential replacement for Goodell, as his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, was 65 when he passed the torch, and Pete Rozelle before him was 63 when he stepped down.