NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wanted the lockout of 2011 to be over so bad, that he cut his own salary, and worked for one single $1 until the lockout was over.
Goodell did such a good job handling the lockout, that the NFL owners more than made up for his cut in salary, giving him a $22.3 million bonus for his hard work.
All told Goodell made $29.5 million in 2011 according to USA Today via NFL tax returns. NFL owners themselves had no problem paying Goodell such a nice chunk of change.
“The NFL is the most successful and best-managed sports league in the world,” Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who chairs the league’s compensation committee, said in a 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.”
Drew Brees, $20 million, is the only NFL player who had a salary average over the $20 million range.