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Paul Tagliabue, who helmed the NFL as commissioner for 17 years, passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 84. His leadership spanned a transformative era of growth and stability for the league.
Tagliabue died at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, as confirmed by his family. His passing was attributed to heart failure, further complicated by Parkinson’s Disease.
Assuming the role of commissioner in 1989 following Pete Rozelle, Tagliabue’s tenure lasted until 2006, when he was succeeded by Roger Goodell. Under his guidance, the NFL expanded its roster of teams from 28 to 32, welcoming new franchises in North Carolina, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Houston. His era also saw over two-thirds of NFL teams either constructing new stadiums or relocating to more modern facilities.
Tagliabue steered the league through challenging national events, such as the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he made the decision to cancel games that weekend. He also played a crucial role during the fallout from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, ensuring the New Orleans Saints would return to their home city after temporarily relocating to San Antonio.
During his time as commissioner, Tagliabue helped guide the league through major national crises, including the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when he canceled that weekend’s games, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, ensuring the New Orleans Saints’ eventual return to their home city after being displaced to San Antonio.
Tagliabue was also credited with maintaining labor peace by strengthening relations with the NFL Players Association after years of strikes, introducing free agency and a salary cap and securing record-breaking television contracts.
He later served as chairman of Georgetown University’s board of directors and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.Â
“Expansion, labor peace, new stadiums, international operations, unprecedented television coverage and revenues, internet and new technology development are just some of the successes accomplished during his tenure,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame wrote of Tagliabue in 2020. “Today, the NFL is not only the template for success among sports leagues, it is the standard by which all other leagues aspire.”
Tagliabue is survived by his wife, Chandler, their son, Drew, and daughter, Emily.
