The National Football League (NFL) is reportedly embarking on a search for a new top legal officer, as its current legal chief, Jeffrey Pash, prepares his retirement after more than forty years of service. The transition was announced by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who disclosed that Pash’s position will be maintained until they’ve successfully recruited a successor. More details on this development are made public in Commissioner Goodell’s memo, available for viewing on Bloomberg Law.
Pash initiated his tenure in 1997, following his term as general counsel for the National Hockey League and after establishing a successful career as a partner at Covington & Burling. His multiplex role in the NFL, beyond the customary legal and labor counsel work, assimilated responsibilities such as negotiating two critical collective bargaining agreements with the league’s union of players.
The timeline for the recruitment process for Pash’s successor is still unspecified. Regardless, Commissioner Goodell expressed a degree of flexibility in seeking recommendations for the lead legal position. Goodell further elaborated on the contributions of Pash, outlining the effectiveness of his representation of the NFL, along with the lasting impact of his leadership in their business.
In a parallel note, Goodell and Pash had once agreed to reduce their salaries to $1 in 2011, during a labor standoff. Pash’s retirement comes at a time when, over the years, he has been involved in important NFL cases dealing with disciplinary proceedings and leaked emails. This includes the renowned Deflategate scandal that resulted in a four-game suspension for the then New England Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady.