For nearly two decades, Roger Goodell has held what is arguably the most powerful job in professional sports. As commissioner of the NFL, Goodell has negotiated billion-dollar television deals, secured long-term labor peace with players, and overseen the league’s explosive transformation into a global sports juggernaut. Under his watch, the NFL has grown into a $20+ billion-a-year behemoth with fans tuning in from every corner of the world.
Unfortunately for Goodell, success hasn’t exactly translated into popularity. For a variety of reasons — ranging from controversial disciplinary decisions to perceptions that he favors team owners over players — Goodell is almost universally hated by fans. Whether he’s announcing draft picks, handing out the Lombardi Trophy, or simply stepping onto a public stage, it’s practically guaranteed that the crowd will erupt into a chorus of boos.
But before you start feeling too bad for Roger… keep in mind that being commissioner of the NFL comes with an absolutely massive silver lining. To make up for all the public scorn he endures, Goodell is compensated extremely well — so well, in fact, that he’s quietly earned over $700 million during his tenure running the league.
Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
From Intern to Commissioner: Roger Goodell’s Rise to Power
Roger Goodell’s journey to the NFL’s top job is a classic tale of persistence and ambition. Born in Jamestown, New York, in 1959, Goodell is the son of former U.S. Senator Charles Goodell. After graduating magna cum laude with a degree in economics from Washington & Jefferson College in 1981, he set his sights on a career in the NFL. Demonstrating remarkable determination, Goodell wrote letters to every NFL team and the league office seeking an internship. His efforts paid off in 1982 when he secured a position as an administrative intern in the league office under Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Goodell’s early years with the NFL were marked by steady progression through the ranks. After a brief stint with the New York Jets in 1983, he returned to the league office in 1984 as an assistant in the public relations department. By 1987, he was appointed assistant to the president of the American Football Conference, Lamar Hunt. Under Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, Goodell held various senior executive roles, culminating in his appointment as the NFL’s executive vice president and chief operating officer in December 2001. In this role, he oversaw football operations, officiating, and league business functions, including media properties, marketing, and stadium development.
During Tagliabue’s 17-year tenure as commissioner, NFL revenues soared, and his own salary steadily increased to reflect the league’s growing success. By the early 2000s, Tagliabue was earning roughly $8 million per year, and in his final season in 2006, his compensation reached approximately $10 million.
When Tagliabue announced his retirement in 2006, Goodell quickly emerged as a leading candidate to succeed him. Following a series of ballots among NFL owners, Goodell was elected as the league’s eighth commissioner on August 8, 2006, and officially took office on September 1, 2006.
Early Years as Commissioner
Goodell’s early tenure as commissioner was marked by a focus on player conduct and league integrity. In 2007, he implemented a new personal conduct policy aimed at addressing off-field issues among players. High-profile cases, such as the suspensions of Pacman Jones and Chris Henry, signaled a stricter approach to discipline.
Financially, the NFL continued to thrive under Goodell’s leadership. The league’s revenue growth during his early years has been extraordinary:
NFL Revenue by Year (2006–2024)
Year NFL Revenue (Approximate)
- 2006 $6.5 billion
- 2007 $7 billion
- 2008 $7.6 billion
- 2009 $8 billion
- 2010 $8.5 billion
- 2011 $9 billion
- 2012 $9.5 billion
- 2013 $10 billion
- 2014 $11 billion
- 2015 $12 billion
- 2016 $13 billion
- 2017 $14 billion
- 2018 $15 billion
- 2019 $16 billion
- 2020 $12 billion*
- 2021 $17 billion
- 2022 $19 billion
- 2023 $21 billion
- 2024 $23 billion
*Note: The 2020 revenue dip reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced attendance and other financial challenges.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
As league revenues climbed, so did Goodell’s personal compensation. Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of Roger Goodell’s salary since becoming commissioner:
- 2007: $6 million
- 2008: $12 million
- 2009: $10 million
- 2010: $10 million
- 2011: $12 million
- 2012: $29.5 million
- 2013: $44.2 million
- 2014: $45 million
- 2015: $40 million
- 2016: $45 million
- 2017: $35 million
- 2018: $40 million
- 2019: $50 million
- 2020: $50 million
- 2021: $64 million
- 2022: $64 million
- 2023: $65 million
- 2024: $65 million
The above total does not include his pre-2007 earnings, which aren’t publicly available.
$686.7 million
To put Goodell’s staggering payday into perspective, here’s how he stacks up against the highest-earning NFL players of all time:
- Matthew Stafford: $391.3 million
- Aaron Rodgers: $380.6 million
- Tom Brady: $332.9 million
- Kirk Cousins: $331.6 million
- Russell Wilson: $315.8 million
So to date, Roger has earned nearly TWICE as much as the highest-paid NFL players of all time. Unreal!
Goodell isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. With several years still left on his latest contract extension, he’s well on pace to push his total career earnings past $1 billion. That’s roughly a dollar for every boo he has ever receieved. I would take that gig.
