NFL team owners hit Atlanta this week for their meeting, and get this: Roger Goodell’s contract extension, set to expire in March 2027, wasn’t even on the agenda for official discussion. Seriously, not a peep was heard about it during Wednesday’s gathering at a hotel near the Atlanta airport. But don’t think for a second it means the deal is dead. Despite the lack of formal talk, the confidence among owners for completing an extension with Goodell in the coming months is still absolutely sky-high.
No Talk, All Confidence? That’s the Vibe
It’s a strange kind of confidence when a major topic like the commissioner’s future isn’t even discussed. One source told Front Office Sports right there at the meeting, “That’s going to get done. I have no doubt.” Later, an owner confirmed to FOS, “Nothing on that,” when asked about the discussion of Goodell’s contract during the actual meeting. This echoes a Front Office Sports report from last month, which also indicated owners felt confident they’d reach an agreement in the next few months. Goodell, who was first elected commissioner way back in 2006, had his last three-year extension agreed upon by owners in October 2023. He’ll be 68 when his current deal runs out in March 2027, making this next contract a huge moment for the league’s leadership. The next time the owners are scheduled to meet up will be in October, this time in New York. You can bet your bottom dollar it’ll be a hot topic then, even if it wasn’t this time around.
Why This Deal Matters Way Beyond Roger Himself
So, why the urgency, even if they aren’t openly chatting about it in meetings? It’s not just about keeping the guy who’s been running the show for ages. Many owners feel it is incredibly important to keep Goodell right where he is for some absolutely massive negotiations coming down the pike. We’re talking about a brand-new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association. This isn’t just a formality; these are the deals that shape everything, from player salaries to league rules. And get this: those discussions could even include a wild 18-game season. Yeah, you heard that right, *18 games*. Imagine that extra Sunday of football! On top of that, new broadcasting deals are on the horizon, which means billions of dollars for the league and could totally change how and where we watch our Seahawks and every other team. Having the same guy leading the charge for these monumental talks, apparently, is key for the owners.
The next scheduled owners meeting is in October in New York, and you can bet that extension will be front and center. With a new CBA, an 18-game season potentially on the table, and huge broadcasting deals looming, keeping the commissioner in place is clearly the priority for the league’s top brass. It’s a quiet confidence right now, but the future of our game, literally the structure of your Sundays, might depend on it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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