NBA commish Silver: I haven't given any thought to potential NFL switch
NBA commissioner Adam Silver isn't considering leaving his current position to become the commissioner of the NFL following reported interest from several NFL owners.
"I'll just say I have not given it any thought," Silver told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "I feel very fortunate to be in this position. As a longtime fan, as a longtime league employee, the opportunity to become the commissioner of this league was beyond anything I even ever dreamed of as a kid.
"I've loved every day I've been in this job, and I think there's nothing but enormous opportunity ahead for this league. And ultimately, I realize I'm just passing through like every player who's gone through this league and ultimately like every owner, and I feel an enormous obligation to the fans and to this greater NBA family to do my best and try my hardest every day. But that's where 100 percent of my focus is."
While he did not confirm he was approached by NFL owners, several have "tried to persuade" Silver to run the league since he took over as NBA commissioner, according to ESPN sources.
This weekend's NBA All-Star Game marks Silver's five-year anniversary in his role after succeeding David Stern on Feb. 1, 2014. League revenues have increased from $4.8 billion to a projected $9.1 billion over that time, according to Shelburne, as the NBA has embraced eSports, legalized sports betting, and jersey advertisements. He signed a five-year extension in June that runs through the 2023-24 NBA season.
Current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell signed his own five-year deal in December 2017 that's worth up to $200 million.
Goodell succeeded Paul Tagliabue on Sept. 1, 2006.