NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Contract Extended Through March 2027

At the fall NFL Owner’s Meeting, the NFL Compensation Committee announced that it extended the contract of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell through March 2027.

Goodell, who has been commissioner since September 2006, has overseen two collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the NFL Player’s Association, most recently in 2020. Goodell has also led the NFL through a period of unprecedented growth, which saw the NFL Draft become a major event with a rotating location, the expansion of the NFL into international markets, and significantly increased revenue for the league.

Goodell’s tenure has not been without controversy either. While Goodell initiated the NFL’s “Protect the Shield” initiative that emphasizes the importance of adhering to the personal conduct policy, he was criticized early in his 17-season tenure for his handling of player conduct issues, affording stricter penalties for in-game infractions than off the field disputes, which came to a head during a domestic violence case involving former Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice in 2014. Goodell has also been criticized for officiating in his tenure. Criticism began during the 2012 season where the NFL game officials were locked out and the league substituted officials from high school and college as “replacement refs.” While the lockout ended in 2012 and the league took measures to increase officiating education, the league continues to endure criticism for officiating inconsistencies. His tenure also included Spygate, Deflategate, and players protesting racial inequalities during the national anthem.

Goodell also presided over league attempts to make the game safer, including through helmet technologies, the implementation of concussion protocols, increased points of emphasis on safety-related issues, and other methods. He is also weathering the increase of violations of the league’s gambling policies by players.

The NFL Compensation Committee negotiates contracts with the commissioner, and reports are that this will not be Goodell’s last contract with the league. At the end of the contract, Goodell will have served as commissioner for 20 seasons and will be the second-longest serving NFL Commissioner, behind only Pete Rozelle.