In January 1993, Gene Upshaw, then executive director of the Players Association, uttered: “N.F.L. will never be the same.” For five years prior, the league had been engulfed in bickering and bargaining, topped by a 24-day strike in ’87. But through it all, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was determined to ensure a more equitable pay structure for players, one they’d be comfortable with. And he did. 

After years of constructive discussions and bridging the gap between the league and the players, the NFL passed the landmark collective bargaining agreement in 1993 that included free agency for players, salary caps, and a salary floor for all clubs. It was extended five times thereafter, marking the finest hour in the commissioner’s tenure. He essentially kick-started a prosperous period in the league, and the community hasn’t forgotten. 

“Thank you for your contributions to our amazing game,” Tom Brady shared as the NFL commissioner of 17 years (1989 – 2006) took his final breath on Sunday. He was 84. While Tagliabue did battle Parkinson’s disease, daughter Emily Rockefeller revealed heart failure to be the cause.

Throughout his life, Tagliabue was many things: a Rhodes Scholar finalist, a legal consultant, a basketball standout. But most definitively, he was the NFL commissioner who adhered to the fans, players, and the owners. 

With the 1993 agreement, the NFL saw a competitive balance. Any team could win on any given Sunday, while the wins went up from five to ten a season. Importantly, an NFL-record three teams had made the worst-to-first leap in both 2005 and 2006. That was just building on a league that Tagliabue was slowly transforming.

The commissioner had inherited the NFL struggling with labour peace, minority hiring, and a lot more from Pete Rozelle. But in a few years, he had signed off a deal with major networks that brought in $4.4 billion in TV rights fees. The annual average was $468 million when he took over the seat, but by the time he stepped down in 2006, the league was raking in $3.7 billion a year.

Jerry Jones had summed up the commissioner’s operations the best almost a decade ago: “‘If it isn’t broke,’ Paul would say, ‘let’s fix it anyway.’ That played well with me. It inspired me to think outside the box.”

Tagliabue wanted to expand the league for international series, setting up the NFL in Europe. While that did not translate as well as expected, the commissioner went on to successfully add four teams to the league: Carolina Panthers (1995), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995), Houston Texans (2002), and the returning Cleveland Browns (1999).

He would also build or modernize 20 NFL stadiums that had a sports economist writing: “The NFL’s stadium model became the blueprint for modern American sports development. Tagliabue was one of the first leaders to understand stadiums as economic engines.”

While his handling of concussion risks remains a stain on an otherwise successful tenure, the NFL community came together to celebrate the telling legacy he left behind.

After Tom Brady, Aikman, and more pay tribute to Paul Tagliabue

Troy Aikman saw Tagliabue step in just when the labour peace was unstable in the league. He sat through the CBA, the media rights, and the expansion, building respect for the commissioner over the course. After sharing his photo on Instagram, the Cowboys star shared, “Just obviously a really smart guy, did a lot to grow the game and get it to where it is today.”

He was soon joined by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “He was a leader who made an indelible impact on the National Football League,” he shared. “Paul was a man of integrity and a tireless advocate for the game. During his tenure, Paul guided the league through transformative growth, expanding its reach and strengthening its foundation.”

Not only had the Patriots established a dynasty under Tagliabue’s tenure, but Jonathan Kraft was one among those who found a revenue-sharing plan to help the small-market teams. Having learnt a thing or two in the same course as well was Jerry Jones.

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“I always respected Paul’s intellect, his unwavering commitment to the game, and his deep understanding of the broader impact our sport could have beyond the field and across the fabric of life for fans and our country. It is a great honor to have known Paul… I cherish those memories and what was learned along the way,” the Cowboys owner shared.

While his successor, Roger Goodell, applauded Tagliabue’s principled leadership, fans couldn’t help but reminisce about the commissioner’s gesture during 9/11, when he decided to postpone the games. “Paul Tagliabue will always be remembered fondly for his decision not to play the weekend after 9/11. RIP,” a fan added.

Besides restoring labour peace, Tagliabue also set up the Rooney Rule, which required teams to interview minority candidates for coaching roles. He would also make a firm stance against the state of Arizona after it had refused to recognize a state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.– he had moved the Super Bowl XXVII to California. Fans remember it all.

“Really shined what Rozelle left him and perfected the league just on par with Pete Rozelle. RIP,” another added. Paul Tagliabue will go down in sporting history as one of the few pivotal changemakers who left an everlasting mark.