On the surface, the NFL owners’ move to give commissioner Roger Goodell a three-year contract extension was a relatively easy, straightforward decision — even if it took months to complete and will reportedly cost in excess of $200 million.

Under Goodell’s 17 years of leadership, the NFL has achieved labor certainty with the NFL Players Association through 2030, enjoys $110 billion worth of stability with its domestic media partners through 2033, has escalated franchise values to unprecedented levels, and has solidified its status as the most dominant sports entity in the U.S.

Goodell has also shown particular strength in protecting team owners from public scrutiny on a wide range of more difficult issues.