He’s been at the helm for some of the NFL’s biggest stories in recent years, but just how long has Roger Goodell been Commissioner of the NFL? Will he ever be forced to give the position up?
In response to former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores suing the NFL and three franchises for alleged racism in hiring practices among the teams, Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement.
In it, he said that the NFL must do even better in promoting diversity among head coaches – and that “particularly with respect head coaches, the results have been unacceptable.”
After Flores and David Culley were fired from their HC positions in January, the only black head coach – at the time of writing – is Mike Tomlin at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Goodell has also overseen the NFL’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic when it broke out in spring 2020 – and was Commissioner when San Francisco 49ers star Colin Kaepernick started to take the knee before games.
But just how long has Roger Goodell been NFL Commissioner? When did he take the job, and are there any limits on how long he can serve?
- EXPLAINED: Did LA Rams head coach Sean McVay actually ever play in the NFL himself?
Ozark | Season 4 Part 1 Trailer | Netflix
Roger Goodell NFL Commissioner
Roger Goodell is the sixth person to hold the title of NFL Commissioner since the office came into usage in 1941.
Indeed, since 1960, the post has been held by just three people, Goodell included.
In 2006, Paul Tagliabue (below) decided to retire from the NFL Commissioner’s office having held the job since 1989.
- EXPLAINED: How is the ‘home’ team for Super Bowl decided?
Goodell was elected his successor by the owners of the NFL franchises, formally taking the reins on September 1st, 2006 – having been elected on August 8th.
NFL Commissioners since 1941
- Elmer Layden – 1941 – 1946
- Bert Bell – 1946 – 1960
- Pete Rozelle – 1960 – 1989
- Paul Tagliabue – 1989 – 2006
- Roger Goodell – 2006 – present
Goodell was also responsible for the NFL’s reaction to the Tom Brady/ New England Patriots ‘deflate-gate’ scandal.
His term is limitless
The NFL Commissioner is not subject to term limits.
His contract can simply keep being renewed if he so wishes and the league’s owners agree.
However, Roger Goodell has indicated when he might leave post as the NFL Commissioner.
In 2017, Goodell signed a new contract taking him to 2024 as the Commissioner.
It was reported at the time that at the end of that contract, he would step aside.
It would mean that he would have served 18 years as the NFL Commissioner.
- TRENDING: Who is Joe Burrow’s girlfriend, Olivia Holzmacher?
In other news, What Claude Giroux gets for winning the NHL All-Star MVP 2022 award
