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NFL owners have paid Roger Goodell ~$300M since he became commissioner in 2006.
The most interesting part? It was probably a bargain.
Time for a thread
The most interesting part? It was probably a bargain.
Time for a thread
1) In 1982, Roger Goodell started his NFL career as an unpaid intern.
Over the next 25 years, Goodell worked his way up as second-in-command to former commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
In 2006, NFL owners voted Roger Goodell the next commissioner of the NFL.
Over the next 25 years, Goodell worked his way up as second-in-command to former commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
In 2006, NFL owners voted Roger Goodell the next commissioner of the NFL.
2) Roger Goodell's main job as commissioner is to increase revenue for the NFL.
By all accounts, he's been excellent at that.
NFL revenue has gone from $6.5 billion in 2006 to ~$16 billion in 2019 - an increase of 146%.
The NFL's new goal is $25 billion in revenue by 2027.
By all accounts, he's been excellent at that.
NFL revenue has gone from $6.5 billion in 2006 to ~$16 billion in 2019 - an increase of 146%.
The NFL's new goal is $25 billion in revenue by 2027.
3) The NFL, along with MLB, NBA, & NHL, are considered the 4 major US professional sports leagues.
However, the NFL's ~$16 billion in annual revenue is at least 50% greater than anyone else’s.
Despite virtually no international appeal, the NFL is truly in a class of its own.
However, the NFL's ~$16 billion in annual revenue is at least 50% greater than anyone else’s.
Despite virtually no international appeal, the NFL is truly in a class of its own.
4) What's led the increase in NFL revenue?
Media Contracts
The NFL has broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Fox, DirecTV, and more - each bringing in over $1 billion in revenue annually.
With the majority of these deals ending in 2022, these numbers are about to go even higher.
Media Contracts
The NFL has broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Fox, DirecTV, and more - each bringing in over $1 billion in revenue annually.
With the majority of these deals ending in 2022, these numbers are about to go even higher.
5) Although the NFL's revenue is up 140%+ since 2006, NFL owners have even better things to celebrate.
The average NFL franchise valuation has gone from $900M to $3 billion.
That's an increase of 233%.
The average NFL franchise valuation has gone from $900M to $3 billion.
That's an increase of 233%.
6) NFL owners aren't the only ones taking home more money under Goodell though.
NFL players get ~48% of the revenue stream, which has moved the salary cap from $120M in 2011 to ~$200M in 2020.
In simple terms, NFL players are making about 2/3 more than they did a decade ago.
NFL players get ~48% of the revenue stream, which has moved the salary cap from $120M in 2011 to ~$200M in 2020.
In simple terms, NFL players are making about 2/3 more than they did a decade ago.
7) For as good as Roger Goodell has been in increasing NFL revenue, he has struggled mightily with non-revenue issues, including:
- Players kneeling during anthem
- Concussion settlement
- Deflategate
- Spygate
- 2011 NFL lockout
- 2012 replacement refs
- Players kneeling during anthem
- Concussion settlement
- Deflategate
- Spygate
- 2011 NFL lockout
- 2012 replacement refs
8) It is no secret that many fans don't like Roger Goodell.
But at the end of the day, the NFL is a business and Goodell has done his job of increasing league revenue incredibly well.
It should be no surprise that NFL owners like him — Goodell is making them richer.
But at the end of the day, the NFL is a business and Goodell has done his job of increasing league revenue incredibly well.
It should be no surprise that NFL owners like him — Goodell is making them richer.
9) Even though Roger Goodell was paid ~$300 million over the last 14 years, there is a strong argument that NFL owners got a bargain.
Goodell made each owner more than $300 million individually, so you have to think they would be willing to pay more for the same results.
Goodell made each owner more than $300 million individually, so you have to think they would be willing to pay more for the same results.
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