How Much Does The Nfl Commissioner Make A Year

So, you’re sitting there with your coffee—maybe a little lukewarm, like all good conversations—and you wonder: how much does the NFL commissioner actually make a year? It’s one of those questions you ask when a ref throws a questionable flag, or when you see Roger Goodell standing there in his suit, looking like he just swallowed a lemon. Let’s dive in, friend.

First, a spoiler: it’s a lot. Like, “buy-a-small-island” a lot. But the number isn’t just a random salary; it’s a circus of bonuses, perks, and incentives that would make your head spin. Ready? Grab another sip.

The Big Fat Number

According to the most recent public filings—because the NFL is technically a non-profit in some weird tax loophole land—Commissioner Roger Goodell earned around $63.9 million in total compensation for the 2023 fiscal year. Yes, you read that right. Sixty-three point nine million.

That’s more than most players make in their entire careers. And he’s the boss, not the one taking hits on Sundays. But wait—that number includes a massive chunk of deferred bonuses and incentives tied to league revenue growth.

Think of it like this: if you get a bonus for hitting a sales target at your job, Goodell gets a bonus for making the NFL a $20 billion beast. His “base salary” is actually pretty modest by comparison—around $10 million. The rest? All performance.

What’s His Job, Anyway?

It’s easy to hate on Goodell. He’s the guy who fines your favorite player for a hit he thought was clean. He’s the face of every rule change you hate. But his real job is making everyone richer—owners, players, sponsors, and even the hot dog vendors.

He negotiates billion-dollar TV deals, pushes through expansions, and keeps the league drama from exploding on Twitter. That’s honestly worth some big cash, even if it stings your soul. Would you take that heat for $63 million? Be honest.

Probably yes. But you’d also get booed at the draft every year.

How It Compares to… Everything

Goodell’s pay is higher than the commissioner of the NBA (Adam Silver makes about $10 million). It’s higher than the MLB commissioner (Rob Manfred, around $15 million). It’s even higher than the CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, who made about $30 million.

Roger Goodell net worth: How much does NFL commissioner make?

He’s basically the king of sports commissioners. Which feels weird, because the NFL also has a rule about how many times a receiver can twerk after a touchdown. Priorities, right?

For context: the average player salary in the NFL is about $2.7 million. Goodell makes 23 times that. And he never gets tackled—unless you count the annual media grilling.

The Golden Handcuffs (and Deferred Cash)

Here’s the juicy part: Goodell’s pay isn’t all in one lump sum. The NFL loves deferred compensation—think of it as a giant “we’ll pay you later” IOU with interest. He gets a base, plus bonuses tied to things like revenue growth, international expansion, and even labor peace.

Remember the 2020 season? He navigated COVID, bubble games, and a ton of angry fans. That probably earned him a nice fat check. The league’s revenue actually grew during the pandemic. Wild, huh?

So his $63.9 million isn’t just a salary. It’s a reward for keeping the money machine humming. The owners love him because he makes them richer. They’ll keep paying, even if you’re screaming at your TV.

What Could You Buy With That?

Let’s have some fun. With $63.9 million, you could buy 1,278 of those $50 game-day jerseys (maybe more if you catch a sale). You could buy a small yacht, like a 60-footer, and still have cash left for a house in Malibu.

Or you could just pay the entire salary of a rookie player for about 19 years. That’s a lot of hot dogs. And you could afford to fly to every single Super Bowl for the rest of your life, first class, and eat the caviar.

How much does Roger Goodell make? Career earnings, net worth of NFL

But Goodell probably spends most of it on… suits? And lawyers? And maybe a bunker for when fans are really, really mad.

Is It Fair? (Spoiler: No, But Also Yes)

Look, is it fair that one guy makes more than 100 players combined? Of course not. But the owners aren’t paying for fair. They’re paying for results. And Goodell has delivered: league revenue has tripled since he took over in 2006.

He’s also the face of every unpopular decision—like suspending players for off-field stuff, or moving the Raiders to Las Vegas. That takes a thick skin. Maybe a thick wallet, too.

So next time you see him on TV, surrounded by cameras and booing fans, remember: he’s probably smiling because his bank account just got a very nice update. And you? You’re stuck with the ref’s bad calls.

The Bottom Line (Pun Intended)

Roger Goodell makes around $64 million a year—give or take a few million in bonuses. It’s a number that feels crazy, but in the world of pro sports, it’s just part of the game. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar monster, and he’s the zookeeper.

Could you do it? Probably. But you’d have to decide on the new kickoff rule, face a thousand reporters, and never say anything funny. Oh, and you’d get paid in deferred stock that might hit your account when you’re 80.

Pass the coffee. I’ll stick to watching from my couch. Cheaper, and way more fun.