Who Was the NFL Commissioner Before Roger Goodell?

Before Roger Goodell was the NFL Commissioner, the position was held by Pete Rozelle. Goodell became Commissioner in 2006.

Pete Rozelle

Pete Rozelle was the NFL commissioner from 1960 to 1989. He is credited with turning the NFL into a billion-dollar business and helping to create Super Bowl Sunday.

Served as commissioner from 1960-1989

Pete Rozelle was the NFL commissioner from 1960-1989. He is credited with turning the NFL into a billion dollar business. He negotiated TV contracts that made the NFL the most lucrative sport in America. He also created national football leagues in America and Europe.

Longest-tenured commissioner in NFL history

Pete Rozelle was the NFL commissioner from 1960 to 1989, making him the longest-tenured commissioner in NFL history. During his time as commissioner, the NFL’s popularity increased dramatically, with its television contracts becoming the most lucrative in professional sports. He is credited with helping to make American football a truly national sport. After he retired, he remained involved with the NFL as a consultant and member of several league committees.

Paul Tagliabue

Paul Tagliabue was the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) from 1989 to 2006. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on November 24, 1940, to Charles and Marie Tagliabue. Tagliabue is of Italian descent and was one of six children. He attended Georgetown University on an academic scholarship, where he played quarterback for the Georgetown Hoyas football team. After graduating from Georgetown in 1962, Tagliabue attended New York University School of Law, graduating in 1965.

Served as commissioner from 1989-2006

Paul Tagliabue served as the NFL’s commissioner from 1989 to 2006. He is credited with growing the league’s popularity during that time. During his tenure, the NFL saw six expansion teams added and four new stadiums built. The league also negotiated a new television contract that increased the amount of money paid to teams for broadcast rights.

Guided NFL through labor disputes and increasing popularity

Paul Tagliabue was born in 1940 in Jersey City, New Jersey, where his father worked as a lawyer. He attended Georgetown University Law Center, and while there he played on the school’s basketball team. After graduation, he worked as a lawyer for the Washington, D.C., firm Covington & Burling.

In 1981, Tagliabue was hired as general counsel for the National Football League (NFL). When NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle announced his retirement in 1989, Tagliabue was one of four finalists for the job. Although many thought that Minnesota Vikings owner Jim Finks was the favorite to succeed Rozelle, Tagliabue ultimately won out and became commissioner in November 1989.

During his tenure as commissioner, Tagliabue guided the NFL through several labor disputes with the players’ union and oversaw the league’s increasing popularity. He was also instrumental in helping to bring professional football back to Cleveland after the city’s previous franchise had moved to become the Baltimore Ravens. In 2006, after 17 years on the job, Tagliabue announced his retirement, and he was succeeded by current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Roger Goodell

Before Roger Goodell was the NFL Commissioner, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the NFL. Goodell took over as Commissioner in 2006, succeeding Paul Tagliabue.

Served as commissioner from 2006-present

Goodell was elected to succeed Paul Tagliabue on August 8, 2006, and assumed office on September 1. He was chosen over four finalists for the position: Charlie Casserly, Rich McKay, Robert Kraft, and Gregg Levy. Goodell was given a five-year contract worth $180 million, making him by far the highest paid commissioner in US professional sports history.

In his first year as commissioner, he oversaw the growth of revenues to a record $7.2 billion and the NFL’s 32 teams each generated an average of $223 million in operating income that year, up from $128 million in 2005.

Has faced criticism for player safety and discipline issues

Since becoming commissioner in 2006, Goodell has faced criticism for player safety and discipline issues. In 2007, he implemented a personal conduct policy for players and employees of the league. Goodell has also been criticized for his handling of several high-profile player discipline cases, including those of Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Tom Brady, and Ezekiel Elliott.