Roger Goodell got paid after a bit of a scuffle between he and some NFL owners, finally signing a 5-year contract extension last week. But when the last paycheck from that reported $200 million extension clears, it will be his last as commissioner of the NFL.
Word came out that the end of Goodell’s 5-year contract will mark the conclusion of his time as the NFL’s commissioner via Ian Rappaport of NFL Network reported on Wednesday. Goodell has been the league’s commissioner since 2006.
This means the league will be looking for a new leader in a few years, but it appears that Goodell is ready to help look for his successor near the end of his term.
NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart says @nflcommish has been clear: This 5-year contract extension will be his last. And he’ll spend timing working on helping find a successor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2017
The league has experienced unprecedented revenue growth during his tenure as commissioner, but it’s also experienced its fair share of criticisms. Recently, its handling of its athletes protesting police brutality against people of color was a particular sore spot for Goodell and the league, while some owners like Jerry Jones very publicly sparred with Goodell over various issues as the subject of his contract renewal came up.
Now it seems that Jones will outlast Goodell in the NFL, though Goodell will have significant say in who runs the billion-dollar entity moving forward.
