Open Mic: Rating the Four Commissioners

Who is the most powerful commissioner in sports?

The NFL, MLB, NBA, and the NHL have long been known as the four major sports in America. Each of the sports is run by a commissioner dedicated to making their game as strong a business and entertainment entity as possible, while maintaining the quality of the game.

The NFL is no doubt the top sport in America today. It is the Sunday staple in most households in the fall. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL have a distinct advantage over the other sports, given the league's intense popularity. He is entering his third season as commissioner of the thriving sport, but he’s already made a significant impact, both as a disciplinarian and as a businessman.

Major League Baseball has gone through sweeping changes under commissioner Bud Selig. He has been in charge since 1992, leading the sport through major changes both on and off the field. He presided over innovations such as the wild card and interleague play—but most importantly, he led the sport through the 1994 strike that almost killed baseball.

The NBA is not the most successful league, but no commissioner is as identifiable with his game as David Stern. The NBA has been a difficult league to navigate through scandals both on and off the court, but Stern has maintained a strong handle over the league, improving its global popularity greatly.

The NHL hired Gary Bettman as its first commissioner in 1993. Since then, the amount of teams has increased, but the league suffered through two lockouts, and the quality of the game has decreased. But he has also led the league through increasing revenues and increasing team values—so financially, he has been fairly shrewd.

So which of the four commissioners is the most powerful? Here’s a look at all four, starting with No. 1.

1. Roger Goodell, NFL

Goodell is the new kid on the block when it comes to sports commissioners, but he’s been very busy in his first few seasons. He had large shoes to fill when he took over as commissioner in August of 2006, but he’s handled the job very well so far, despite being dealt a fairly rough hand.

His personal conduct policy, instituted in 2007, increased fines and suspensions for those who get into trouble. His policy even targets teams, causing players with troubled pasts or presents to become close to pariahs. Talent is still the most important thing at the end of the day—but teams think twice before drafting players with checkered pasts.

This policy is most known for Pacman Jones, Michael Vick, and Chris Henry. All three players were suspended under this policy. Jones wasn’t even convicted of anything before he was suspended for a full season.

Goodell was also was forced to crack down on the New England Patriots, who cheated during the 2008 season. He levied the biggest fine ever on a coach—$500,000 to Bill Belichick. He also fined the Patriots organization $250,000, and docked the team a draft pick.

Goodell also introduced flexible scheduling to the NFL in his first season, allowing for games late in the season to be maneuvered into prime time. While the system is not perfect, the networks are happy—and many NFL fans are happy that there are fewer meaningless games in prime time late in the season.

Finally, Goodell terminated NFL Europe in 2007. The league was losing money every year, and the league wanted to market real NFL games more over there. The first regular-season game played in Europe was in 2007, with the Miami Dolphins facing the New York Giants, and this year the New Orleans Saints will lose a home game and “host” the San Diego Chargers.

Goodell has done a lot in his first few years, exerting his power to change the schedule, to modify the plan for globalization, and to crack down on law offenders. It might be too early in his tenure to call him the most powerful commissioner, but he is the most powerful man in the most popular sport. That makes him the most powerful commissioner in sports.

2. David Stern, NBA

Stern is the longest tenured of the four commissioners, and this has made him the face of his sport. Stern has focused his efforts on globalizing the game, making it more popular around the world.

His idea for globalization has led to a huge influx of European players to the NBA. Take a look at the NBA draft. In 1994, every draft pick went to an American college player. Eight years later, Yao Ming was the first foreign player to go first overall, and a total of six international players were taken in the first round.

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