Sports
Comparing Commissioner Salaries For NFL, MLB, NBA, & NHL
Growing up, James was fascinated with watching sports. This led to an interest in research and stats and writing betting analysis for a variety of sports. James has graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.
Get to know James Boutros betterPublished17 Mar 2025
The NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL Commissioners each earn a hefty salary.
These are the four biggest sports in the US and the Commissioners get a high salary.
One Commissioner earns a lot more than the other three.
Commissioner Salary For NFL, MLB, NBA, & NHL
Below is how much each Commissioner earns per year. Roger Goodell earns 3.65 times more per year than the second-highest-paid Commissioner on the list.
Roger Goodell, NFL, $63.9 Million Per Year
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell by far makes the most money out of the four Commissioners.
On August 8, 2006, Goodell was chosen to succeed Paul Tagliabue and Goodell assumed office on September 1, 2006.
Goodell believes his primary responsibility as commissioner is protecting the integrity of the game and making it safer.
The NFL has expanded many games in Europe under Goodell’s leadership.
Football continues to dominate the ratings in the USA and Goodell has the NFL at levels like never before.
Rob Manfred, MLB, $17.5 Million Per Year
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred earns the second most per year of the four big league Commissioners.
Manfred assumed office on January 25, 2015.
Under Manfred, the MLB has changed the pace of play. He implemented a pitcher’s clock.
One big scandal Manfred had to deal with was the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal. In 2020, Manfred led an investigation that found the Houston Astros used illegal methods to steal signs during the 2017 season, in which they won the World Series, as well as part of the 2018 season. Manfred fined the Astros $5 million, the maximum allowed by the MLB constitution. He also revoked their first and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021. Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were each suspended for the 2020 season. In June 2023, Manfred reflected on his decision to grant Astros players immunity and referred to it as “maybe not my best decision ever.”
In February 2024, Manfred said he would step down when his contract expires in January 2029.
Adam Silver, NBA, $10 Million Per Year
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver earns the third most per year of the four big league Commissioners.
On October 25, 2012, Silver was endorsed by David Stern to be the next NBA commissioner. On February 1, 2014, when Stern stepped down from his position, Silver was unanimously approved by the NBA owners to succeed him.
Silver has dealt with some scandals. On April 25, 2014, TMZ Sports released a video of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling holding a conversation with his girlfriend that included racist remarks. Silver responded just a few days later, announcing that Sterling had been banned from the NBA for life. In addition, Silver fined Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA constitution. It was one of the most severe punishments ever imposed on a professional sports owner.
Silver has a good relationship with NBA owners and does not plan on stepping down anytime soon.
Gary Bettman, NHL, $9.5 Million Per Year
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman earns the fourth most per year of the four big league Commissioners.
Bettman has been NHL Commissioner since February 1, 1993, when he took office.
Many NHL expansion teams have taken place under Bettman.
He has a stronghold of the Commissioner role and has not stated any plans of stepping down.
