Paul Tagliabue
Paul Tagliabue
Paul John Tagliabueis the former Commissioner of the National Football League. He took the position in 1989 and was succeeded by Roger Goodell, who was elected to the position on August 8, 2006. Tagliabue's retirement took effect on September 1, 2006. He had previously served as a lawyer for the NFL. Tagliabue served as Chairman of Board of Directors of Georgetown University from 2008 to 2015...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSports Executive
Date of Birth24 November 1940
CountryUnited States of America
Under our league policies, owners are not supposed to be talking about re-locating their team during a season. We've got a specific set of guidelines on that. It's a policy that was negotiated with the U.S. conference of mayors, and my assumption is that every owner is complying with the policy.
I've spoken to many owners already, and I think there's a really strong consensus that what is needed is a pretty effective leader and someone who can be around for a good, long period of time. Whatever differences people have on specific issues will be pretty well submerged as they try to find the right type of talent to lead thee organization.
That's going to be our focus. We started some conversation with the owners about what kind of structure, what kind of commitments it would take from all the teams to institutionalize that so the obligation of playing a game every now and then, a regular-season game, outside of the United States would become a part of the normal team participation in the National Football League.
We've talked about no fewer than six and no more than eight (members). But that's not set in concrete. We had some discussion with the owners about whether the committee should be one owner for each division, or whether there was any one factor that could determine how the committee would be composed.
I didn't know what to anticipate. We don't have a discussion with the owners until (today), so it's really hard to say.
I told our owners (while planning the event) that this would be a true celebration of the New Orleans Saints, and, before you know it, they'll be America's team.
The union fails to recognize the very real costs associated to building new stadiums and generating revenues. They don't assume the cost for that. The owners do.
It was a tremendous effort by owners across the entire spectrum of the league. Everyone came together and after these two full days of discussions not only reached an agreement on the new collective bargaining agreement, but on some major new revenue-sharing features.
I think what we need to do is recognize that the people of this region and the businesses of this region and the governmental agencies of this region have so many priorities that rebuilding the Saints and recommitting the Saints to Louisiana is just one of those priorities.
I think by most measuring rods, you can already call it a success. ... I think the emotion I feel the most ... is pride. And my sense is that's the way our fans in Mexico feel. It's a moment for great pride.
It has as much effect on the league as a summer firefly will be gone this September.
I said a couple of weeks ago I thought it was one step forward and two steps back, so he (Upshaw) stepped back further than I thought.
We had good support from the Players Association recognizing that it develops players, ... I think NFL Europe is an important piece of our international development. They had a very successful year this year and last year.
We had an excellent meeting this morning and quickly developed a dual consensus. The first was to continue to give priority to the needs of the region and the second to the scheduling of Saints games in a way that made sense under the total circumstances. ... We also appreciate the cooperation of the Alamodome officials and the hospitality of the people of San Antonio for their support of the Saints at this difficult time.