The financial dynamics of the NFL and NBA differ drastically, and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard isn’t staying silent about it. In a recent post on Twitter, Lillard voiced his frustration over the massive gap between NFL players’ contracts and the lucrative deal awarded to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. His reaction followed news that Goodell signed a five-year extension potentially worth up to $200 million—an average of $40 million per year if all bonuses and incentives are approved by team owners.
Lillard took issue with the fact that many NFL players still work under non-guaranteed contracts, while the league’s commissioner enjoys a salary that rivals the top-earning athletes in professional sports. “$40 million a year for the commissioner? While some players are risking their lives on non-guaranteed deals? Shaking my head,” Lillard wrote. His sentiment resonated across social media, especially as fans and athletes continue to debate the fairness of player compensation in high-impact sports like football.
For context, the NFL’s current highest-paid player is Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who signed a five-year, $135 million contract—averaging $27 million annually. In contrast, this NBA season features 11 players earning more than that, with Stephen Curry among the top. Curry secured a five-year, $201 million extension in 2017. Meanwhile, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s salary has not been publicly disclosed, but U.S. media estimate it to be around $10 million—far less than what Goodell is set to receive.
It’s also worth noting that Goodell’s new deal isn’t fully guaranteed. Reports indicate that only about 15% of the contract is base salary; the rest depends on owner approval of performance bonuses. Still, since taking over as commissioner in 2006, Goodell has reportedly earned over $210 million. His most recent publicly reported annual salary was $32 million, raising eyebrows in light of the relatively lower average earnings of the NFL’s rank-and-file players.
In the NBA, a total of 126 players this season are earning $10 million or more, illustrating the league’s player-first compensation model. For Lillard and many others, the idea that a league commissioner would consistently earn more than most athletes—especially in a sport as physically punishing as football—just doesn’t sit right.
The debate over fair pay and guaranteed contracts isn’t unique to the NFL. Sports fans around the world, including those following Bangladesh Cricket Live, are familiar with the high stakes and physical toll that come with elite competition. Much like cricketers balancing injury risks and career longevity, NFL players face similar pressures. On platforms like Bangladesh Cricket Live, where athlete welfare and equity often spark discussion, Lillard’s message underscores a broader concern shared by players across leagues and sports.