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
The NFL would like to congratulate both the New Orleans Saints and the greater San Antonio community for a job well done under very difficult circumstances, ... To sell more than 140,000 tickets under such extraordinary adversity is a testament to everyone involved.
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.
Our focus continues to be on having the Saints in Louisiana, ... We're trying to develop what we would regard as a new model for the Saints to operate in a rebuilt Louisiana.
The business model for the Saints needs to be changed. It needs to be expanded. I think a fresh look has to be taken at the (Louisiana Superdome) lease arrangements, the master agreement arrangements. From my perspective, they were flawed.
This is not about a football game, ... It's about the NFL and the Saints making a statement as to what we stand for as far as rebuilding in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region.
Our focus has been on doing the right thing in terms of the Saints games, and we will be very actively involved with respect to the future. But that will be at a future date.
Now that the team is 1-0, they're convinced they are going to the postseason.
I don't know where I'm going to do it. I'm just thinking about it. Just for that reason, that by then, people will have a whole new set of needs. The outpouring from the public is just fantastic. We just have to keep it going.
I guess the sense I have, if we ever get around to considering expansion within the NFL, that San Antonio would be on anyone's short list.
I don't think the negotiations are going well. I'm not optimistic. I characterize it as one step forward, several steps back. I don't know if it will be resolved by the end of the March meetings at this point.
A lot of things get done at the 11th hour and 59th minute. I don't know if we'll get something done by the league meetings.
I really thought it would take longer for Houston to get another team,
The emotion that I feel most is pride, ... My sense is that's the way the fans here in Mexico feel. It's a moment for great pride, because a lot has been accomplished in two decades (in Mexico).
I am honored to have been commissioner since late 1989 and to have been heavily involved with the league, its owners, clubs, coaches, players, fans and media since 1969.