After spending the last 24 years working in league operations for the NFL, Roger Goodell has received his final promotion.
Goodell, 47, was chosen to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL commissioner yesterday afternoon, being approved unanimously on the fifth ballot by the league’s 32 ownership groups.
He agreed to a five-year contract, the financial terms of which were undisclosed.
“It’s a great choice,” raved Giants’ general manager Ernie Accorsi. “I’m really happy for the league, and personally happy because he’s a friend.” Goodell is set to take over day-to-day operations from Tagliabue on or about Sept. 1.
Goodell, the son of former U.S. Sen. Charles Goodell, began his career in the NFL as an administrative intern in the league’s New York office in 1982. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the league’s chief operating officer in Dec., 2001.
“We’ve had the two greatest sports commissioners in the history of professional sports, Paul Tagliabue and Pete Rozelle, and I was fortunate to work for both of them,” Goodell said. “I look forward to the challenge and thank them again for their confidence.” “I had a sentimental bond with anyone associated with Pete Rozelle,” said Accorsi.
“It’s great that link occurred, because [Goodell] was hired by Rozelle.” Goodell became a prominent figure in the league in the 1990s, managing the expansion process that led to the addition of four teams. He also oversaw the league’s role in stadium construction, played an important role in the launch of the NFL Network, and helped the league manage such significant challenges as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
“You can’t draw up the job experiences any better,” Giants co-owner John Mara said. “He has been involved in every key decision made in the last 12 years, and he has great relationships with the owners and the union. He has paid his dues and risen through the ranks.” Goodell beat out four other finalists for the position: Fidelity Investments vice chairman Robert Reynolds; Constellation Energy chairman Mayo Shattuck III; and lawyers Gregg Levy and Frederick Nance.
Born in Jamestown, N.Y., Goodell moved with his family to Bronxville in 1971. He captained the football, basketball, and baseball teams as a senior at Bronxville High School, and was recruited to play defensive back at Washington & Jefferson College. A knee injury prior to his freshman year ended his career on the gridiron, but his love for the game never faded.
“I spent my life following my passion,” said Goodell.
“The game of football is the most important thing. You can never forget that.” After the three-month internship that got him in the door at the NFL concluded, Goodell worked for the Jets as a public relations and administrative intern in 1983. Following that season, he turned down a position on the Jets coaching staff to return to the public relations department in the NFL offices.
Additional reporting by Paul Schwartz