NEW YORK -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will cut his salary to $1 if there is a work stoppage after the collective bargaining agreement expires in March.
Goodell, who makes about $10 million per year including bonuses, said in a memo to his staff Wednesday that chief negotiator Jeff Pash also will reduce his salary to $1. Pash makes nearly $5 million per year.
Goodell also has asked the league's compensation committee to delay any bonus payments to him until after a deal is reached with the NFL Players Association.
"Let me emphasize that we are fully committed to doing everything possible to reach a new collective bargaining agreement without any disruption to our business," Goodell said. "The entire senior leadership team stands with me in its commitment to resolving the CBA issues with the player's union.
"While several other executives have also volunteered to make additional reductions to their compensation, I have asked them not to take that step at this time as we continue our negotiating efforts."
NFL owners opted out of the agreement in 2008.
Union chief DeMaurice Smith has predicted the league will lock out the players after the March 4 expiration of the contract with the league. Smith tweeted in reaction to Goodell's pledge: "NFL executives reducing salaries in the event of a lockout? If we have a deal by Super Bowl, I'll go down to 68 cents."
NFLPA communications director Carl Francis also wasn't impressed by Goodell's memo.
"I have been around long enough to know that this decision is irrelevant to the process," Francis said. "He should also guarantee there won't be a lockout."
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Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
