Goodell Keeps $1 Salary Promise
When the threat of a lockout emerged, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league general counsel Jeff Pash said they would cut their salaries to $1 if there was a lockout. That wasn't just a statement to make it appear they wanted a deal, they are following through with that promise.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league general counsel Jeff Pash are slashing their salaries to $1 each during the lockout.
Goodell and Pash promised in January they would take salary cuts if there was a work stoppage. Goodell earns about $10 million a year, including bonuses, and Pash nearly $5 million.
Goodell also has asked the league's compensation committee to delay any bonus payments to him until there is a deal with the players union.
Also taking cuts will be all league personnel at the New York headquarters, NFL Films in Mount Laurel, N.J., and at NFL Network and NFL.com in Culver City, Calif. For now, salaries for those league employees will be reduced by 12 percent, an amount equal to two weeks' pay.
If the work stoppage continues into August, salary reductions for management-level employees will range from 25 percent for executive vice presidents to 20 percent for senior VPS and 15 percent for VPs. Directors will take a 10 percent cut and managers will be reduced by 5 percent.
In 2009, Goodell took a 20 percent pay cut and the league staff was trimmed by 15 percent.
Several teams have instituted furloughs and pay cuts because of the lockout, which began Saturday morning after the players union decertified and the owners locked them out.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a plan to reduce salaries by less than 10 percent during a prolonged labor stoppage while letting all personnel keep their jobs. Those making the most money, including general manager Scott Pioli and coach Todd Haley, are taking the biggest hit, but no employees will be laid off or furloughed. If there is a full 2011 season, employees would be reimbursed for money lost.
The New York Jets have said business-side employees were asked to take one week's unpaid furlough every month during a work stoppage. They also will make reimbursements should the entire 2011 season be played.
"While we have every reason to believe that the season will go on as planned, it makes sense to adjust our policies to reflect that uncertainty around exactly when an agreement will be reached," Jets executive vice present of business operations Matt Higgins said.
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