Roger Goodell on the field prior to Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens. (Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

There’s no doubt that the NFL is a huge business. According to Forbes, the combined worth of all 32 teams was $35 billion in 2011.

In that same year, the total revenue generated by all the teams was $8 billion, with most of that coming during the 17-week season due to national media deals.

With that said, have you ever wondered how much NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes?

In 2011, Goodell made $30 million according to Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Daily. He brought in a $22.3 million bonus after earning $11.6 million in 2010. This number is based off the league’s tax return which is scheduled to be filed at the end of today.

Goodell is paid by NFL owners and his income is more tied to his performance than a set salary.

“The NFL is the most successful and best-managed sports league in the world,” said Falcons Owner and Compensation Committee Chair Arthur Blank in a prepared statement. “This is in no small part due to Roger’s leadership and the value he brings to the table in every facet of the sport and business of the league. His compensation reflects that.” - Daniel Kaplan (Sports Business Daily)

David Stern (NBA Commissioner) and Bud Selig (MLB Commissioner) are believed to earn in the mid-$20 million.

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A general view outside of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as preparations are made for Super Bowl XLVII between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. (Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)

This time next year, the NFL world will descend upon New Jersey and New York.

Usually, the NFL’s head honchos dip out of their office on Park Avenue and pack lighter clothes for a Super Bowl either in and/or warmer climate or in a stadium that has a dome.

The 2014 “staycation” for the league itself means that the Super Bowl could be played in snow and/or ice for the first time ever.

We’re going to embrace the weather, embrace New York and New Jersey. We are also prepared for all alternatives, and that includes the weather, and the potential for snow and ice. – Roger Goodell (New York Daily News)

Embracing the weather is what the NFL is all about. From sauna-like training camps to 3-degree temperatures in the divisional round of the playoffs, the influence of weather is present for every team.

Many people don’t like the fact that there’s a chance that the weather could determine the outcome of the game (i.e. a botched snap during a field-goal attempt at the end of the game), or “even worse,” cause a low scoring game.

Who cares? Why change things up for the Super Bowl? If teams have had to battle the so-called “elements” throughout the regular season and playoffs, why should they get a break in the Super Bowl?

A successful 2014 Super Bowl (however the league defines it) would mean that Denver would have a better shot at hosting in 2018, 2019, or 2020. Denver filed paperwork to host in November.

My question is why did it take the NFL so long to allow bids from cold-weather cities without domes? When you open up the field for more competition, you’re going to get better bids. The NFL makes more money that way.

What’s your take on it?

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Roger Goodell during the Super Bowl most valuable player and winning head coach press conference at Super Bowl XLVI . (Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE)

There are no hotter topics on the front range sports scene than the Denver Broncos and Denver’s own Olympic gold medal swimmer, 17-year-old Missy Franklin.

You can bet that any time the television is on, the Broncos and Franklin are being talked about, and rightfully so.

Now imagine if football were an olympic sport. Not that football. The one we watch every Sunday and Monday night in the fall.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to see his sport grow to that level internationally.

“We’re already taking steps to gain that IOC recognition. We have, I think, 64 countries that are playing American football now, and that’s one of the requirements. That’s been growing dramatically — I think it was 40 just five years ago.

Our point is just to keep growing the game. We’re having a tremendous reaction in London and the UK for the game of football, our regular season game over there is sold out again this year, we are seriously contemplating as early as 2013 playing two NFL games next season and I think we’ll do that. It’s a response to the tremendous fan reaction and the growth of the game. If we can continue to grow the game there and have the fan reaction that we have, there very well may be a franchise in London.” – Roger Goodell on the Dan Patrick Show 

That raises some interesting points such as who is the U.S. going to play against? Also, would teams (and players themselves) be willing to let their players play in games that could easily end their NFL career, and shorten their NFL lifespan?

A lot of work still needs to be put in to making this happen and a lot more people need to be convinced that this is a solid idea.

I say keep football out of the Olympics. It’s already set on one of the world’s biggest stages. Maybe the sport needs to pull the reins in more on their own ventures every once in a while.

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