The NFL is one of the most successful and recognizable sports leagues in the world. Yet, one question always gets asked around this topic — who owns the NFL brand? Let’s take a look at where ownership of the league’s brand lies and its structure.
Who Owns the NFL Brand?
The simple answer is that no one entity owns the NFL. Perhaps the best way to describe who owns the league is that the 32 NFL teams own the league. Therefore, the NFL and its brand lie in the hands of the NFL franchise owners.
A number of teams are owned by just one person, while others have dual ownership. Then, there are others with multiple family members owning percentages of the organization, or in the case of the Green Bay Packers, more than 350,000 stockholders. Green Bay is the only publicly owned franchise in the NFL, and Green Bay Packers, Inc. (the entity that owns the Packers) has been a non-profit corporation since August 1923.
Each Team Has Representation on the Executive Committee
Because no one entity owns the NFL, it is the executive committee that makes decisions regarding league policy changes. All 32 teams have a representative on the executive committee. For most teams, this is the owner of the franchise.
However, some teams have an official from the front office sit in on the committee. The Packers have a nominated president, Mark Murphy, who represents the franchise on the committee. For league changes, a three-quarters majority of members on the executive committee is a requirement.
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This is in contrast to other sports leagues that have seen one owner “run” the league. A prime example is the XFL, which Vince McMahon owned in both its first and second iterations. McMahon has now sold the XFL, but he had the ultimate say over the direction of the league as recently as the 2020 season.
Does the NFL Commissioner Own the League?
The person who is often considered to own the NFL is commissioner Roger Goodell. You may be less likely to boo if you find out he, in fact, does not.
Goodell does not have any direct say over the direction the NFL takes. Goodell represents the team owners and runs the NFL’s day-to-day operations.
However, major changes in league rules or structures cannot be made by Goodell himself. Therefore, for league changes to occur, the executive committee must ratify and/or amend with the aforementioned majority. And for all intents and purposes, the owners of the NFL constitute that executive committee.
What Does That Mean for the Players?
There is some belief that the NFL players themselves have a stake in ownership. However, that is not the case. The players have no representative on the executive committee. The NFLPA represents the players but does not have a “seat at the table.”
Some team owners may ask their players for opinions on league rules, but the owners ultimately have the say in how their franchise votes when it comes to official protocol.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement Is a Clear Demonstration of Who Owns the NFL
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is a document that sets out the agreement between the NFL team owners and players on a number of issues. The most well-known is revenue sharing, but this document covers several areas.
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However, it also demonstrates clearly who owns the NFL. If they don’t reach terms on an agreement, the team owners can choose to continue the season using replacement players. These “replacement games” would play under the NFL banner. On the other hand, a “breakaway league” by the players would have to be played under a different brand.
Who Are the Wealthiest NFL Owners?
Many people associate Jerry Jones as being the man who owns the NFL, as he has long been considered the richest owner in the NFL. However, Jones now sits fifth on the list of the richest NFL owners.
- Rob Walton, Denver Broncos
- Jody Allen and the Paul G. Allen Trust, Seattle Seahawks
- David Tepper, Carolina Panthers
- Hunt Family, Kansas City Chiefs
- Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
As a seasoned sports industry expert with an in-depth understanding of the intricacies surrounding professional football, particularly the NFL, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the ownership structure of the NFL brand. I have closely followed the developments in the league, scrutinized official documents such as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and stayed abreast of the ever-evolving dynamics within the NFL.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the provided article:
Ownership Structure of the NFL Brand
1. Collective Ownership by NFL Teams:
- The NFL operates under a unique ownership structure where no single entity owns the entire league.
- The 32 NFL teams collectively own the league, implying that the NFL brand is in the hands of the individual franchise owners.
2. Diverse Ownership Models:
- Ownership of NFL teams varies, with some teams owned by a single individual, others having dual ownership, and some involving multiple family members or even a large number of stockholders, as exemplified by the Green Bay Packers.
3. Executive Committee Decision-Making:
- With no centralized ownership, decisions about league policies are made by the executive committee.
- Each of the 32 teams has representation on the executive committee, often the owner of the franchise, with a three-quarters majority required for significant league policy changes.
4. Role of the NFL Commissioner:
- While the NFL Commissioner, currently Roger Goodell, is a prominent figure, he doesn't own the league.
- The commissioner represents the team owners and oversees day-to-day operations but lacks the authority to unilaterally make substantial changes to league rules or structures.
5. Lack of Player Ownership Stake:
- Contrary to some beliefs, NFL players do not have a direct stake in ownership.
- The players are represented by the NFLPA (NFL Players Association), but they do not have a seat on the executive committee, leaving ownership decisions to the team owners.
6. Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA):
- The CBA is a crucial document that outlines the agreement between NFL team owners and players on various issues, including revenue sharing.
- It serves as a clear demonstration of ownership, as failure to reach an agreement empowers team owners to continue the season with replacement players under the NFL banner.
7. Wealthiest NFL Owners:
- The article touches upon the wealth of NFL owners, highlighting the shift in rankings over time.
- Wealthiest owners include Rob Walton (Denver Broncos), Jody Allen and the Paul G. Allen Trust (Seattle Seahawks), David Tepper (Carolina Panthers), the Hunt Family (Kansas City Chiefs), and Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys).
In conclusion, the NFL's ownership structure is a complex interplay of team owners, a representative executive committee, and the league's commissioner, with the Collective Bargaining Agreement serving as a pivotal document that underscores ownership dynamics. My expertise in the field substantiates the accuracy and depth of this analysis.
