Well now, if you ever wondered how you could end up being the big boss of the NFL, the commissioner, you gotta know it’s a long road and ain’t no easy feat. So, listen up, and I’ll tell ya a bit about it, step by step, plain and simple.
What does the NFL Commissioner even do?
First thing, you gotta know what this whole commissioner job is about. The commissioner of the NFL is the top dog, the big cheese, the one who runs the whole show. This position ain’t been around forever—no sir, it was created in 1941, and since then, the job’s been held by folks like Jim Thorpe, and now Roger Goodell, who took office in September of 2006. They say he’s been doin’ a fine job, though some folks still got opinions about him.
Now, the commissioner ain’t just sittin’ around in a fancy office, oh no. He makes the rules, decides when the season starts, and even when the draft happens. He also makes sure the league keeps growin’, keepin’ the popularity up, and that all 32 teams in the NFL are treated right. It’s a big job, no doubt about it.
How do ya get to be the NFL Commissioner?
If you thinkin’ that one day you could be the NFL commissioner, well, I got news for ya. It ain’t something that just happens by chance. First, you gotta be involved in the NFL world. And I mean really involved, not just watchin’ the games on Sundays. Most commissioners come from backgrounds in law, business, or sports management. You gotta have a good head on your shoulders, that’s for sure. You need a lot of experience, and I mean YEARS of it.
- Start by workin’ in sports—might be law, might be business, or maybe you run a team, or help run a team. You gotta show you know what you’re doin’.
- Build a reputation. Be someone folks trust to get things done right, whether it’s makin’ tough calls or negotiatin’ deals. You gotta be a problem solver, and people need to believe in you.
- Get some high-level connections. This ain’t no job you just walk into. You gotta know the right people, the owners of teams, and folks at the top of the NFL. They pick the commissioner, and trust me, they ain’t gonna pick someone they don’t know or trust.
- Get a track record of success. Show you’ve been part of big decisions that turned out well. That could be in any part of the NFL, but it’s gotta be something that stands out.
Once you got all this under your belt, then maybe, just maybe, one day they’ll look at you and say, “That’s the one who’s gonna lead the NFL into the future.” But don’t get too ahead of yourself—this job don’t come easy.
What does it take to be successful as Commissioner?
Ain’t no doubt, once you get to be the NFL commissioner, it’s all about keepin’ things runnin’ smoothly. First off, you gotta make sure the rules are fair and folks follow ‘em. That means bein’ tough when you need to, and bein’ fair to all the teams and players. You don’t want no favoritism goin’ on. That’s how you lose trust, and trust is everything.
And then there’s the money. Oh boy, the NFL’s got a whole lotta money, and you gotta make sure it gets spent wisely. You also gotta keep the league profitable, helpin’ it grow while also dealin’ with the big sponsors and TV deals. You ever seen how much money those NFL games bring in from TV? Well, the commissioner’s gotta make sure that money keeps flowin’ in, and that means bein’ sharp with business deals.
Why do NFL Owners Pick the Commissioner?
One thing to know is that the commissioner ain’t picked by the fans or the players. Nope, the owners of the NFL teams pick the commissioner. They get together and vote on who they think is the best person to lead the league. Now, this don’t mean the commissioner works for the owners—they work for all the teams and for the league as a whole, but the owners are the ones who make the final decision. So, you gotta be someone they respect, and you better have some thick skin, ‘cause you’re gonna have to deal with a lotta different personalities.
The Role of Commissioner in the NFL’s Growth
When the NFL first started, back in the early days, there weren’t too many teams. But as time went on, the league grew, and so did the job of the commissioner. From Jim Thorpe to Roger Goodell, each commissioner had their own way of dealin’ with the changes in the league. Roger Goodell, for example, made it a priority to grow the NFL’s popularity, both in the U.S. and around the world. He pushed for international games and worked to make sure the league stayed relevant in a fast-changin’ world.
Challenges Faced by the Commissioner
Now, being the NFL commissioner ain’t all fun and games. There’s plenty of challenges. You got to deal with stuff like player safety, controversies about the rules, disputes between teams, and let’s not forget, the media’s always watchin’. People got opinions, and they ain’t shy about lettin’ you know what they think. And you also got the issue of keepin’ the league clean—no scandals, no cheating, and no funny business. That’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re dreamin’ about bein’ the NFL commissioner, just know it’s a long road. It takes years of hard work, experience, and a good reputation. You gotta be sharp, tough, and fair. Most importantly, you gotta have the right connections and prove that you can handle the big job. But if you got what it takes, who knows? One day, you might find yourself in charge of one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. Just remember, it ain’t easy, but it sure is worth it.
Tags:[NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, NFL, NFL Career, Becoming Commissioner, NFL Rules, NFL Draft, NFL Business, Sports Management, NFL Growth]