NFL Power 40+
SI's NFL staff recently assembled the most powerful people in the game today. Here is the list broken down by category.
Roger Goodell, 51, NFL commissioner
His four years in office have been marked by emphasis on player discipline; now faces biggest challenge in looming labor conflict.
Jeffrey Pash, 54, NFL executive VP of labor and general counsel
Tagliabue protégé and onetime commissioner candidate is lead negotiator for owners.
Bob Batterman, 68, lawyer
Management-side labor lawyer who represented NHL in 2004-05 lockout is advising Goodell, Pash.
DON BANKS: 10 future power brokers in NFL
DeMaurice Smith, 46, NFLPA executive director
Former D.C. prosecutor and trial lawyer won election as dark horse in 2009; not nearly as chummy with league office as predecessor, Gene Upshaw.
JeffreyKessler, 56, NFLPA counsel
Veteran labor-side lawyer -- he litigated McNeil v. NFL, which led to establishment of free agency -- is Pash's chief adversary.
Kevin Mawae, 39, NFLPA president
Former NFL lineman is strong voice on financial and health-care issues, though influence in negotiations remains to be seen.
Jerry Jones, 68, Cowboys
High-profile face of America's most valuable sports franchise.
Bob Kraft, 69, Patriots
Only owner who's on the broadcast, labor and finance committees.
Jerry Richardson, 74, Panthers
Former Colts receiver cochairs labor committee; hard-liner.
Bob McNair, 73, Texans
Billionaire who made his fortune in energy business; has the ear of fellow owners.
Tom Benson, 83, Saints
Granddaughter Rita has strong say in team issues; Tom chairs NFL finance committee
Clark Hunt, 45, Chiefs
Rising star settling into role as influential dad Lamar's heir
Dan Snyder, 44, Redskins
Lightning-rod owner whose relationship with DeMaurice Smith could help in negotiating CBA.
Dan Rooney, 78, Steelers
Team's emeritus chairman, now U.S. ambassador to Ireland, remains close adviser to Goodell.
Jeffrey Laurie, 59, Eagles
Former Hollywood producer chairs L.A. stadium committee; arbiter of NFL's return to second-largest market.
Steve Bisciotti, 50, Ravens
Among young owners, league office most admires him and K.C.'s Hunt.
Woody Johnson, 63, Jets
Has pushed his franchise to forefront in nation's biggest, rowdiest market.
Ed Roski, 72
Southern California real estate mogul has land, stadium plan for L.A. franchise -- but no team.
Bill Polian, 67, Colts
Colts president is architect of league's steadiest franchise; key member of competition committee.
Bill Belichick, 58, Patriots
Pats coach and three-time Super Bowl winner is admired by all, emulated by some.
Art Rooney II, 58, Steelers
Steelers president carries the gravitas of Art, his grandfather, and Dan, his dad.
Ozzie Newsome, 54, Ravens
Only Indy's Polian has had a better run of team-building than Ravens' general manager.
Peyton Manning, 34, Colts
Colts quarterback is face of the league and its most marketable player.
Brett Favre, 41, Vikings
Vikings quarterback dominates media attention, for better and worse.
Drew Brees, 31, Saints
Saints quarterback helped turn New Orleans into America's New Team.
DON BANKS: 10 future power brokers in NFL
Dr. James Andrews, 68
Preeminent orthopedic surgeon and pioneer in treatment of ligament damage has saved dozens of NFL careers, from Troy Aikman's to Drew Brees'.
Tom Condon, 57, and Ben Dogra, 45
Coheads of Creative Artists Agency's football division have 100 top players, including Peyton and Eli Manning, Adrian Peterson.
John Wooten, 73
Former player chairs Fritz Pollard Alliance, which promotes hiring of minority coaches and front-office staffers.
Bob LaMonte, 65
Most prominent coaches' agent; client list includes Andy Reid, Brad Childress, Mike Singletary
Drew Rosenhaus, 43
First superstar agent is as controversial as ever, but with client list of 120 (including Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco) and growing, impossible to ignore
George Bodenheimer, 52
ESPN/ABC Sports president pays league $1.1 billion a year for Monday Night Football
Dick Ebersol, 63
NBC Universal Sports & Olympics chairman has Goodell's ear
David Hill, 64
FOX Sports chair has been behind major innovations in NFL broadcasts
Sean McManus, 55
President of CBS News, Sports doesn't wield influence of other network bosses
Steve Bornstein, 58
NFL Network czar and exec VP of NFL media renegotiated deals with CBS, Fox and NBC in 2009, even with lockout looming
Steve Sabol, 68
As president of NFL Films, has had a major hand in league myth-making
Chris Berman, 55
Host of ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown isn't giant of 10 years ago, but everyone takes his calls
Adam Schefter, 43
Onetime Broncos beat writer now leads ESPN's large stable of tapped-in newshounds
Tony Dungy, 55
Retired coach and NBC analyst has become revered resource for Goodell and scores of players
Mike Florio, 45
Onetime outsider has turned profootballtalk.com into a must-read for news and rumor
Peter King, 53
SI senior writer pens Monday Morning Quarterback on SI.com, Internet's most widely read NFL column
Alan Schwarz, 42
New York Times scribe's reporting on brain injury has helped put concussion issue on front burner
Dan Patrick, 54
Interviewer extraordinaire and SI writer cohosts Football Night in America on NBC; league's biggest names frequent his morning radio-television show
