Goodell Named New NFL Boss

As expected, Roger Goodell has been named the new commissioner of the NFL on Tuesday, succeeding the man who groomed him for the job, Paul Tagliabue.

The 47-year-old Goodell, the favorite for the job for months, worked his way from a public relations intern to the top job in American sports. He was unanimously elected by the league's 32 owners on the fifth ballot, and will serve a five-year contract.

Goodell, who becomes the fourth NFL commissioner since 1946, now has the unenviable task of following two legendary commissioners who left a lasting mark on the league - Pete Rozelle and Tagliabue.

"I spent my life following my passion," said Goodell at his news conference. "The game of football is the most important thing. You can never forget that.

"We've had the two greatest sports commissioners in the history of professional sports, Paul Tagliabue and Pete Rozelle, and I was fortunate to work for both of them," Goodell said. "I look forward to the challenge and thank them again for their confidence."

The NFL's revenues have skyrocketed during the 17 years under Tagliabue, with the league netting about $10 billion in TV rights fees during the next six years. He also avoided any labor disputes when the union and the owners agreed to a new deal that was done in March.

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