db44
Mar 20th, 2006, 12:36 PM
MetroSource:
(New York, NY) -- Although Paul Tagliabue is set to retire as the commissioner of the NFL, it doesn't mean he's leaving the league just yet. On Monday, Tagliabue announced his plans to step down in July, but his contract says he can continue to serve in a senior executive and advisory role through the end of May, 2008.
The 65-year-old first started working for the league in 1969. He graduated from Georgetown with a degree in political science and served as an attorney for the league before becoming the commissioner. He succeeded Pete Rozelle, officially becoming the head of the NFL in November, 1989. During his 16 years as commissioner, the league expanded from 28 to 32 teams, underwent a major divisional realignment, and secured the largest television contracts in entertainment history. The Tagliabue era also saw the computer and cable boom, which the NFL embraced with a league-wide Internet network and the launch of the NFL Network on cable and satellite television.
Tagliabue's retirement comes less than two weeks after the league and its players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. The negotiations for the new CBA caused the league to twice delay the start of the free agent signing period. In the end, a new, six-year deal was signed. Tagliabue cited the completion of the CBA as a good time for him to step down and for a transition to a new commissioner. Among the favorites to replace him are Roger Goodell, the league's current executive vice president and CEO and Richard Cass, the president of the Baltimore Ravens.
(New York, NY) -- Although Paul Tagliabue is set to retire as the commissioner of the NFL, it doesn't mean he's leaving the league just yet. On Monday, Tagliabue announced his plans to step down in July, but his contract says he can continue to serve in a senior executive and advisory role through the end of May, 2008.
The 65-year-old first started working for the league in 1969. He graduated from Georgetown with a degree in political science and served as an attorney for the league before becoming the commissioner. He succeeded Pete Rozelle, officially becoming the head of the NFL in November, 1989. During his 16 years as commissioner, the league expanded from 28 to 32 teams, underwent a major divisional realignment, and secured the largest television contracts in entertainment history. The Tagliabue era also saw the computer and cable boom, which the NFL embraced with a league-wide Internet network and the launch of the NFL Network on cable and satellite television.
Tagliabue's retirement comes less than two weeks after the league and its players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. The negotiations for the new CBA caused the league to twice delay the start of the free agent signing period. In the end, a new, six-year deal was signed. Tagliabue cited the completion of the CBA as a good time for him to step down and for a transition to a new commissioner. Among the favorites to replace him are Roger Goodell, the league's current executive vice president and CEO and Richard Cass, the president of the Baltimore Ravens.