How Is the NFL Commissioner Chosen?

How is the NFL Commissioner chosen? Read about the process and the requirements to be eligible for the job.

Introduction

The National Football League (NFL) Commissioner is the highest-ranking executive of the NFL. The Commissioner is responsible for planning and directing all aspects of the NFL’s operations, including:

-Developing and enforcing league rules
-Managing the finances of the league
-Hiring and firing league staff
-Negotiating television contracts
-Making decisions on player discipline

The Commissioner is elected by a vote of the owners of the NFL’s 32 teams. They serve a five-year term, and can be reelected to an unlimited number of terms. The current Commissioner is Roger Goodell, who was elected in 2006.

The Selection Process

The NFL Commissioner is chosen through a vote by the NFL’s 32 team owners. This vote usually takes place during the NFL’s Annual League Meeting, which is held in March. The Commissioner is chosen to a terms of office that last for seven years and can be renewed. NFL owners can choose to terminate the Commissioner’s employment at any time with a three-fourths majority vote.

The Nominating Committee

The NFL Commissioner is chosen by a 32-member Nominating Committee, which is made up of team owners and league executives. The process begins with the identification of potential candidates by the Committee, who then conduct thorough background checks and interviews. A small group of finalists is then selected, and the Commissioner is chosen by a vote of the NFL’s 32 owners.

The League Owners

In order to become the NFL Commissioner, one must first be nominated by the league owners. The individual must then receive a majority vote from the owners in order to be elected. The current commissioner, Roger Goodell, was nominated by a unanimous vote of the league’s 32 owners in 2006. He was then re-elected in 2009 and 2012.

The Commissioner’s Responsibilities

Goodell was elected in August 2006 to succeed the retiring Paul Tagliabue. Goodell had served as the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations since 2001, and has been widely praised for his handling of several major controversies that have arisen during his tenure. These controversies include the New Orleans Saints “bounty scandal”, the “Deflategate” scandal involving the New England Patriots, and domestic violence incidents involving NFL players.

The Business of the NFL

The National Football League is a professional American football league comprising 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference. The NFL commissioner is the chief executive officer of the NFL. The current commissioner is Roger Goodell, who has served in that position since 2006.

The commissioner is chosen by a vote of the owners of the NFL’s 32 teams and must receive at least 24 of those votes to be elected. The commissioner is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NFL as well as for enforcing its rules and regulations. He also represents the NFL in all legal matters and negotiates television contracts on behalf of the league.

The Rules of the NFL

The National Football League is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the commissioner and 11 owners of the NFL’s 32 teams. The commissioner is elected by affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the members of the Board of Directors at a meeting called for that purpose.

The commissioner has broad authority to conduct business on behalf of the league and its 32 clubs, and his powers are derived from the unanimous written consent of the Owners. These consent resolutions are reviewed and updated periodically by the membership. Some recent examples include: grandfathered club financing arrangements; approval to relocate a franchise; approval to extend the regular season; approval to amend certain provisions of the player Surface and Subsurface Club Location Policy; and approval for club radio networks to enter into national radio agreements. The commissioner also has scheduling, disciplinary, hearing and appeals authority vested in him by NFL rules or agreements with players.

The Rules Committee, which is composed of eight NFL head coaches and four general managers, is responsible for reviewing all playing rule changes recommended by member clubs and approving such changes prior to their implementation. All rule change recommendations must be submitted in writing to the Competition Committee, which then forwards its recommendations to the membership at large. During each offseason, all proposed rule changes – whether they originate with member clubs, the Competition Committee or Commissioner Roger Goodell – are presented to the membership for discussion at one or more League meetings prior to being voted upon. In order for any rule change proposal to be approved, it must receive affirmative votes from 24 (of 32) clubs

Conclusion

While the process of choosing the NFL commissioner has evolved over time, the position remains one of the most powerful in American sports. The commissioner is responsible for the league’s overall operation and for making decisions that will impact every aspect of the game. As the face of the NFL, the commissioner also serves as a ambassador for the sport and is often called upon to speak on behalf of the league.