Sports commissioners are some of the most controversial figures in the world of professional athletics. Fans love to hate them—whether it’s Gary Bettman’s three-decade reign over the NHL, Rob Manfred’s unpopular baseball rule changes, Roger Goodell’s polarizing leadership of the NFL, or Adam Silver’s bold NBA innovations. But what if these “villains” are actually master strategists playing 4D chess? What if their unpopular decisions are setting the stage for long-term success that we simply aren’t seeing at first glance?
In this deep dive, we’ll challenge everything you think you know about sports commissioners. We’ll explore their financial impacts, game-changing rule adjustments, crisis management skills, and ultimately, who is truly succeeding in shaping the sports we love—and sometimes love to hate. Brace yourself: at least one conclusion might make you mad as hell.
Table of Contents
- The Money Makers: Financial Success or Smoke and Mirrors?
- Game Changers: Who’s Actually Improving the Sport?
- Crisis Management: Heroes or Villains?
- Conclusion: Who Really Deserves the Crown?
The Money Makers: Financial Success or Smoke and Mirrors?
Why do owners keep these commissioners around despite fan outrage? The answer is simple: money. When you’re delivering billions to billionaire owners, you’re going to have job security—even if the fans boo you relentlessly.
Roger Goodell and the NFL’s Financial Juggernaut
When Roger Goodell took over as NFL commissioner in 2006, the average NFL franchise was valued at around $898 million—still under $1 billion. Fast forward to today, and those same franchises are worth over $5.5 billion each on average. That is a staggering increase and a testament to the financial empire Goodell has helped build.
Additionally, the NFL’s latest TV deal is a monumental $110 billion contract—a figure that sounds almost unreal. This deal alone underscores why owners repeatedly extend Goodell’s contract despite the loud chorus of fan boos at events like the NFL Draft. To the 32 NFL owners, Goodell is a golden goose laying massive financial eggs.
Adam Silver and the NBA’s Global Domination
Adam Silver has transformed the NBA from a primarily American sport into a global phenomenon. Under his leadership, the NBA has expanded aggressively into markets across China, Europe, and Africa. Silver revolutionized how basketball is consumed by embracing social media highlights and digital platforms rather than resisting them.
The results speak volumes. NBA franchise values have exploded, with teams like the Golden State Warriors soaring from a $450 million valuation to over $5 billion in just a decade. Silver’s focus on global expansion and digital engagement has created a new generation of fans and a strong financial foundation.
Rob Manfred and Baseball’s Steady Climb
Despite the narrative that “baseball is dying,” MLB franchise values have steadily increased under Rob Manfred’s leadership. The Baltimore Orioles, for example, sold for $1.7 billion after being purchased for $173 million in 1993—a nearly 900% increase. Local TV deals, though less flashy than national contracts, continue to pump billions into the sport annually, keeping Manfred in favor with team owners.
Gary Bettman and the NHL’s Modest Growth
Gary Bettman has been commissioner of the NHL for 30 years, and while hockey remains firmly the fourth most popular American sport, its growth has been more modest compared to the explosive rises seen in the NBA and NFL. NHL franchise valuations and revenues have grown, but the gap between hockey and the other major leagues has widened under Bettman’s watch.
The NHL’s TV situation highlights some of the challenges Bettman faces. While the NFL secures multi-billion-dollar deals, the NHL struggles with regional sports networks going bankrupt. Networks that carry hockey games, such as Bally Sports and DirecTV’s regional sports packages, have faced serious financial issues, leaving fans scrambling to find ways to watch games through premium cable packages.
Game Changers: Who’s Actually Improving the Sport?
Making money is important for owners, but what about improving the game itself? Rule changes directly impact what fans see every game day. Some commissioners have introduced innovations that enhance the sport’s pace, excitement, and competitiveness, while others have faced backlash for changes that feel forced or detrimental.
Rob Manfred’s Pitch Clock Revolution
Rob Manfred might be baseball’s most hated figure among traditionalists, but his introduction of the pitch clock has had a surprisingly positive effect. The pitch clock has reduced the average game length by 24 minutes in 2023, making baseball more watchable without sacrificing the sport’s core elements.
More importantly, scoring has increased alongside the faster pace, injecting new energy into a game sometimes stereotyped as slow and lethargic. Attendance numbers are trending upward, proving that even the most traditional sport can evolve successfully when changes are carefully implemented.
Adam Silver’s Play-In Tournament Innovation
Adam Silver’s introduction of the NBA’s play-in tournament has been one of his most brilliant moves. Previously, teams that had no chance of making the playoffs would tank, abandoning competitiveness and fan interest late in the season. The play-in tournament gives these teams meaningful goals, fighting for playoff spots and creating legitimate drama in what used to be the NBA’s “dead zone.”
Players and fans alike have embraced the change, which rewards effort and extends competitive basketball deeper into the season. This innovation has enhanced the league’s overall competitiveness and entertainment value.
Roger Goodell’s Safety-First NFL
Goodell’s tenure is more complicated when it comes to game improvements. His safety-focused rule changes have successfully reduced concussions—a critical win for player health. However, the tradeoff has been a game increasingly interrupted by replay reviews and penalty flags, which disrupt the flow and intensity that many fans cherish.
Players themselves have expressed concern that excessive penalties are altering football’s fundamental nature. The sport is safer, but many question whether it is better to watch. The debate continues: is enhanced safety worth sacrificing the game’s traditional intensity?
Gary Bettman’s NHL Rule Innovations
Bettman’s NHL has seen rule changes like three-on-three overtime and shootouts designed to eliminate ties and guarantee decisive results every game. These changes have created exciting finishes, but many hockey purists complain that shootouts feel artificial compared to traditional sudden-death overtime.
The tension here mirrors the NFL’s safety debate: balancing competitive authenticity with entertainment value is a tricky challenge. Bettman’s approach has favored fan engagement and clear results, but at the cost of some traditionalist values.
Digital Access: Silver Leads, Bettman Lags
Rule changes aren’t the only game changers; how fans access sports matters just as much. Adam Silver embraced the digital revolution early, making NBA League Pass the gold standard for sports streaming and cultivating a generation of fans who follow basketball through social media.
In contrast, Bettman’s NHL kept games locked behind regional sports networks that are financially unstable and less accessible to fans. This has limited hockey’s exposure and growth potential, especially compared to the NBA’s global digital presence.
Crisis Management: Heroes or Villains?
When crises hit, a commissioner’s true character is revealed. How they respond to scandals, player protests, or global emergencies can define their legacy and the sport’s reputation.
Rob Manfred and the Astros Cheating Scandal
Rob Manfred’s handling of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal is widely regarded as one of the worst leadership failures in modern sports history. Fans were outraged when Manfred issued no player punishments and famously dismissed the World Series trophy as “just a piece of metal.”
This response was a PR disaster and revealed a tone-deaf attitude toward the game’s integrity and the emotional investment of baseball fans. The scandal left a stain on MLB’s reputation, and Manfred’s leadership was heavily criticized for failing to uphold the sport’s core values.
Roger Goodell and the NFL’s Controversies
Goodell’s tenure has been marked by a series of controversies, including his handling of player protests during the national anthem and domestic violence cases. His approach alienated both players and fans at different times, revealing deep divisions within the league.
Goodell’s inconsistent disciplinary actions—sometimes a slap on the wrist, other times a season-long suspension—have further eroded trust. A 2021 Harris poll found Goodell’s favorability rating at just 57%, significantly lower than the overall NFL approval rating, highlighting a disconnect between the commissioner and the fan base.
Adam Silver’s Decisive Leadership
Adam Silver stands out for his decisive crisis management. When racist comments from Clippers owner Donald Sterling surfaced, Silver acted swiftly, banning Sterling for life within days. This clear message earned immediate respect from players and fans alike.
Silver’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic also showcased strong leadership. When Rudy Gobert tested positive, Silver immediately suspended the NBA season, demonstrating a commitment to player health and safety. This decisive action contrasted sharply with the NFL’s more hesitant and complicated approach.
Gary Bettman’s Stubbornness and Safety Denial
Bettman has been criticized for his stubborn denial of the link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) until 2016—long after scientific consensus had been established. This denial damaged the NHL’s reputation and delayed important discussions about player safety.
Additionally, Bettman’s decisions regarding Olympic participation have frustrated players who want to represent their countries, further highlighting his sometimes rigid and business-first approach.
Conclusion: Who Really Deserves the Crown?
After examining financial success, game innovations, and crisis management, one commissioner clearly stands out: Adam Silver. His 67% favorability rating among fans in 2021 reflects a balance of business acumen, game improvement, and decisive leadership that towers over his peers.
Gary Bettman, despite his long tenure, remains the least respected commissioner, largely due to his stubbornness, questionable decisions, and failure to modernize the NHL’s approach to player safety and fan engagement.
Roger Goodell and Rob Manfred occupy more complicated middle grounds. Goodell has been a financial powerhouse but struggles with fan and player relations. Manfred has made unpopular but effective changes that have improved baseball’s pace and competitiveness, though his handling of scandals has drawn heavy criticism.
Next time you find yourself booing a commissioner, ask yourself: is this really poor leadership, or are you witnessing tough decisions that might benefit the sport in the long run? Sometimes, the unpopular moves are the smartest ones—whether we like it or not.
So, are sports commissioners actually geniuses playing a long game, or just lucky villains? The answer might surprise you.