Roger Goodell Cuts April Salary to $0 But Still Stands to Make Nearly $200 Million
Over the years, Roger Goodell hasn’t necessarily garnered a strong positive relationship with NFL fans. He has often faced scrutiny and criticism for decisions that has made since becoming the NFL commissioner. That has led to much disdain toward Goodell for various reasons, but he has taken a respectable move forward during this difficult time around the globe. With the United States, like the rest of the world handling the coronavirus, it has seen Goodell recently decide to take a significant pay cut.
Roger Goodell’s salary
Since taking over the helm as the commissioner of the NFL back in September 2006, he has been a prominent figure in the sports world.
With that great deal of responsibility also comes a significant salary as he runs a multi-billion business. There may not be much chatter around his dealings, but his pay has been a topic discussed at specific points over the years.
That was made clear back in December 2017 when he agreed to a five-year extension worth up to $200 million if incentives are met to remain in his position with the league i. It’s a deal that runs through the 2023 season and puts him at roughly $40 million annually. Up to that point, Goodell had earned $212.5 million in his first 12 years as the commissioner.
Goodell is receiving a hefty payday that is still north of what any player receives annually at this juncture, but it’s a salary that comes with the job. He has a tremendous amount of responsibility for maintaining and handling the NFL’s business around the year. The 61-year-old has continued to draw ire from fans and critics alike for his pay, but he has helped keep the NFL in line as being arguably the most popular league in the country.
Roger Goodell takes a paycut
The last few months have seen things shift toward a more significant concern over the spread of the coronavirus in the United States. That has taken a substantial impact on many different industries and businesses across the country.
One of which is the NFL, who have taken precautionary measures falling within the guidelines of what the medical professionals have recommended. With that has come some economic for the league that recently saw Goodell decide to reduce his salary to $0 last month, which was put into effect for April.
He reportedly has a base salary of around $20 million annually, which would put him roughly out of $1.7 million for this month. There is no indication of how long that he will elect to go that route, but it’s an honorable move to help lessen the financial blow that the rest of the league will feel.
Other NFL salary reductions are coming
Goodell’s decision to take a pay cut is part of a bigger plan that will see others see a reduction in their salaries starting in May.
That will see 5% for manager-level staffers along with 7% for the directors, 10% for vice presidents, and 15% for executive vice presidents. However, these cuts will not impact any NFL employee that is earning less than $100,000, while no salary will fall below $100,000 because of these reductions. With that said, Goodell is hopeful that the situation will improve so that these cuts can be only a temporary situation. (H/T Sam Wickersham of ESPN)
“We hope that business conditions will improve and permit salaries to be returned to their current levels, although we do not know when that will be possible,” Goodell wrote.
There isn’t a timetable for when things could head back in the right direction financially. Still, the NFL has fallen in line with the various other professional sports leagues, such as NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS, that have taken these reductions.
