The real star of the NFL Draft: more than 200 million in net worth, the most criticized, effusive and controversial of them all

The NFL Draft has an odd tradition - booing the NFL Commissioner.

Roger Goodell took over the role in 2006, and has since faced criticism from both fans and the media. There have been plenty of reasons for that - the way he handled the Ray Rice domestic violence case, the 2011 lockout, his response to the national anthem protests, his approach to the Deflategate scandal, and finally, his staggering million-dollar salary at a time when the league was struggling financially.

In a nutshell: Many believe that Roger Goodell prioritizes profit over the good of the game.

How the NFL’s most hated man keeps winning

Despite the criticisms, Goodell has led the league through a period of significant financial growth. The league owners are not typically among those who show dissatisfaction with Goodell, as he produces results that keep them content.

His success has led him to multiple contract extensions since he initially took over in 2006. During the 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscal years, Goodell earned a reported $64 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid executives in all of sports. That number eclipses the salaries of several top players in the league as well.

In 2017, he was given a deal worth up to $200 million. His latest contract was a three-year deal signed in 2023 that will keep him in the role of commissioner through 2027.

Goodell’s net worth is estimated to be between $200 and $250 million. His current deal is said to be based on his performance, which makes sense. In his 19 years as commissioner, Goodell has secured lucrative broadcasting deals with major platforms like Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix. Thanks to his work, the league is projected to earn over $125 billion in media revenue over the next ten years.

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Despite the controversies and criticisms, Goodell has been praised for his leadership abilities, especially in spite of that. And his fortune speaks for itself, reflecting the immense impact he’s had on the business side of the NFL.

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