The NFL’s contract with commissioner Roger Goodell expires in 2027. The Sports Business Journal released 10 names of likely candidates who could replace him. Included in the list was Rams president Kevin Demoff, who has held a leadership role with the team for the last 16 years.
Before dismissing the shortlist as speculation, it’s worth noting that ESPN’s Peter Schrager reacted to the post on social media platform X:
Ben Fischer (@SBJ) is well sourced. Strong list of potential names to someday be considered for NFL Commissioner. Many in the league office are included. Also interesting are the ones that were not. Same with the team presidents that were (Demoff/Garfinkel) and who were not.
Goodell, albeit somewhat infamous among NFL fans, has guided the league to become the preeminent sports entertainment brand in the United States since taking over as commissioner in 2006.
How likely is Demoff to take over the NFL’s lead role? The league could turn toward non-traditional candidates to the extent they get buy-in from the 32 franchise owners:
To be clear, the smart money is still on the traditional model, which means choosing a new leader from the closest confidantes of the incumbent commissioner and owners. With the NFL in such a strong position strategically, it will be hard to build a case for a dramatic departure from the status quo.
But some long-term strategists believe fundamental transformation is in the cards if they play it right. They see a league with capacity to become — with the right leadership — a six-continent leader in content and media. That viewpoint would steer the debate outside of football, sources said, toward Fortune 100 CEO-types who would probably have a shorter tenure, be less personally familiar to most owners and be far more expensive to pay than an internal candidate. In this case, the argument is that a hired-gun CEO would be more creative, aggressive and willing to disrupt traditions than anyone coming out of sports.
“Can the right executive take the NFL from a $25 billion enterprise to a $50 billion enterprise? Is that possible?” said one insider. “If you believe there’s still hockey stick growth on the table, that’s a different conversation.”
On Demoff specifically:
One of the most powerful non-owners in sports, Demoff runs four teams and all media properties for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Owners recall his performance in leading the Rams’ mission-critical relocation, and they are well aware he’s overseen the team’s rise from 28th to second-most valuable NFL franchise since then. They also like his comportment. Demoff is known for his confident, unflappable way of working, from the highest-stakes matters inside conference rooms and casual chats with reporters and everything in between.
What would life without Demoff look like for Rams?
Demoff led the Rams through relocation from St. Louis, which has been a success by most objective measures. The value of the franchise doubled overnight. SoFi Stadium is a premier sports entertainment venue that has drawn attention for global events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic Games in 2028.
For as long as Sean McVay and Les Snead are in the drivers’ seat, the Rams will have stability and high performance in the front office. Tony Pastoors, LA’s chief operating officer, handles salary cap management similar to Demoff’s role with the team before he become president. Owner Stan Kroenke also has a deep bench that spans across multiple professional sporting leagues through his company Kroenke Sports and Entertainment where he holds interests in the Rams, Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Arsenal FC (Premier League), and Colorado Rapids (MLS).
It’s still early in the process in terms of who could replace Goodwell, and it’s uncertain exactly when the commissioner would step down. The Rams have built their front office and franchise infrastructure for the long haul and should be prepared if Demoff is chosen to lead the NFL.
See More:
