Roger Goodell Forgoes Salary: “The NFL Isn’t Immune” to Covid-19

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has given up the entirety of his $30 million plus salary due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After dragging its feet initially, the NFL is now taking drastic measures to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus.

As well as Roger Goodell, league officials earning over $100,000 a year are having their salaries reduced or furloughed. 

The reductions will begin after the pay period ending May 22. Salaries will be reduced by 15% at the top level, gradually falling to 5% at the management tier. 

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“We hope that business conditions will improve and permit salaries to be returned to their current levels, although we do not know when that will be possible,” Roger Goodell said.

“Individuals in our workforce who are unable to substantially perform their duties from home and/or whose current workload has been significantly reduced,” will be furloughed from May 8. 

League staff will retain their medical benefits, and Goodell will endeavour to return salaries to normal as soon as possible.

“It is important to remember that a furlough is not a termination,” Goodell told league staffers.

“We do not know how long a furlough will last, but we are hopeful that we will be able to return furloughed employees back to work within a few months.”

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“The NFL is not immune to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is our obligation to take responsible steps to protect the business and manage through this crisis as effectively as possible,” Goodell wrote.

“These decisions were difficult and we know these measures will cause hardship for those impacted. I encourage everyone to continue to identify ways of operating more efficiently and reducing costs. If we do that, I believe that furloughs and compensation reductions can be limited, or in time even reversed.

“I assure you that we will continue to monitor economic conditions, communicate with you promptly and openly — whether the news is good or bad — and have your interests in mind as decisions are made going forward.”