NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received a contract extension on Wednesday. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images / January 15, 2012) |
-
Vince Wilfork is the main key for Patriots defense against Giants
-
NFL buzz, as viewed on Twitter and Facebook
-
Chuck Pagano hired to coach the Indianapolis Colts
-
New York Giants see parallels to 2007 season
-
Look for Giants to keep things up in the air against Patriots
-
Raiders reportedly agree to hire Dennis Allen as head coach
Now that the NFL has labor peace for the next decade, Commissioner Roger Goodell has job security through the 2018 season.
Not only did Goodell get through one of the league's most contentious and troubling periods -- a 4 1/2 -month lockout of the players -- but he oversaw a highly successful season once a 10-year collective bargaining agreement was reached. On Wednesday, he reaped some rewards himself with a contract extension through March 2019.
"It is the only place I have ever wanted to work," Goodell said after the league's compensation committee approved the extension.
The 52-year-old Goodell took over for Paul Tagliabue in 2006. His original five-year contract was extended in 2009. He earned about $10 million, including bonuses, under that contract. During the lockout, he had a $1 salary.
No terms were disclosed for the new contract.
"I am grateful for the contributions and counsel of NFL owners in managing our league, the talented staff that supports us, and the players and coaches that perform their magic on the field. It is truly a team effort," Goodell said. "I am eagerly looking ahead to the challenge of building on our momentum and doing all we can to improve our game for the fans and everyone that is part of our league."
In 2011, he negotiated long-term contract extensions of the NFL's television contracts. The nine-year agreements with CBS, Fox, and NBC are the longest for the league and could net as much as $3.1 billion in 2022.
Twenty-three of the top 25 rated TV programs during the football season were NFL games.
Pro Bowl: There will be tweeting
Hawaii makes everyone a little more laid back, including the NFL. The league is relaxing its social media policy and allowing players to tweet before and during Sunday's Pro Bowl.
The league said it will set up a computer on each sideline where players are encouraged to use Twitter to communicate with fans, teammates and even opponents during commercial breaks and when their offensive or defensive unit is not on the field.
Tweeting is voluntary and only one player per team may tweet at a time.
Mobile devices will not be allowed during the game. The players can, however, tweet from their phones before the game and at halftime. Facebook and other popular social media platforms are not included.
The usual league policy bans players from tweeting 90 minutes before games all the way until they fulfill their postgame media obligations. The Pro Bowl experiment is not being considered for the regular season or playoffs, the NFL said.
The players will be tweeting with the hashtag (hash)ProBowl.
Deadline nears for Rams, St. Louis
A deadline is approaching for a plan to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams, and fans wonder if football in St. Louis might be at stake.
There is a Feb. 1 deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the aging dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease after the 2014 season.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke has been noncommittal about the team's future in St. Louis.
Etc.
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Wednesday that the team wants a new stadium in the Twin Cities, even if it means building on the current site of the Metrodome. It was the New Jersey businessman's strongest signal that he would ultimately accept the site that for months had been his least favorite among a handful of options.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed as unable to practice on Wednesday on the team's first injury report since he injured his left ankle in the AFC title game against the Baltimore Ravens. Although the Patriots did not practice, they were required to file an injury report. Gronkowski was seen wearing a removable boot on his left foot on Monday.
Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke is retiring. Hoke, 35, spent 11 seasons with the Steelers after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Brigham Young in 2001. He was a valuable backup during his career. ... Steelers safety Ryan Clark will replace injured Ravens safety Ed Reed in the Pro Bowl.
Not only did Goodell get through one of the league's most contentious and troubling periods -- a 4 1/2 -month lockout of the players -- but he oversaw a highly successful season once a 10-year collective bargaining agreement was reached. On Wednesday, he reaped some rewards himself with a contract extension through March 2019.
"It is the only place I have ever wanted to work," Goodell said after the league's compensation committee approved the extension.
The 52-year-old Goodell took over for Paul Tagliabue in 2006. His original five-year contract was extended in 2009. He earned about $10 million, including bonuses, under that contract. During the lockout, he had a $1 salary.
No terms were disclosed for the new contract.
"I am grateful for the contributions and counsel of NFL owners in managing our league, the talented staff that supports us, and the players and coaches that perform their magic on the field. It is truly a team effort," Goodell said. "I am eagerly looking ahead to the challenge of building on our momentum and doing all we can to improve our game for the fans and everyone that is part of our league."
In 2011, he negotiated long-term contract extensions of the NFL's television contracts. The nine-year agreements with CBS, Fox, and NBC are the longest for the league and could net as much as $3.1 billion in 2022.
Twenty-three of the top 25 rated TV programs during the football season were NFL games.
Pro Bowl: There will be tweeting
Hawaii makes everyone a little more laid back, including the NFL. The league is relaxing its social media policy and allowing players to tweet before and during Sunday's Pro Bowl.
The league said it will set up a computer on each sideline where players are encouraged to use Twitter to communicate with fans, teammates and even opponents during commercial breaks and when their offensive or defensive unit is not on the field.
Tweeting is voluntary and only one player per team may tweet at a time.
Mobile devices will not be allowed during the game. The players can, however, tweet from their phones before the game and at halftime. Facebook and other popular social media platforms are not included.
The usual league policy bans players from tweeting 90 minutes before games all the way until they fulfill their postgame media obligations. The Pro Bowl experiment is not being considered for the regular season or playoffs, the NFL said.
The players will be tweeting with the hashtag (hash)ProBowl.
Deadline nears for Rams, St. Louis
A deadline is approaching for a plan to upgrade the Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams, and fans wonder if football in St. Louis might be at stake.
There is a Feb. 1 deadline for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission to outline how it will transform the aging dome into a "first-tier" stadium by 2015. If it fails to do so, the Rams can break their lease after the 2014 season.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke has been noncommittal about the team's future in St. Louis.
Etc.
Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Wednesday that the team wants a new stadium in the Twin Cities, even if it means building on the current site of the Metrodome. It was the New Jersey businessman's strongest signal that he would ultimately accept the site that for months had been his least favorite among a handful of options.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was listed as unable to practice on Wednesday on the team's first injury report since he injured his left ankle in the AFC title game against the Baltimore Ravens. Although the Patriots did not practice, they were required to file an injury report. Gronkowski was seen wearing a removable boot on his left foot on Monday.
Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Hoke is retiring. Hoke, 35, spent 11 seasons with the Steelers after signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Brigham Young in 2001. He was a valuable backup during his career. ... Steelers safety Ryan Clark will replace injured Ravens safety Ed Reed in the Pro Bowl.
Save over 
