Paul John Tagliabue is an American lawyer and former sports executive who served as the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL). He held the position for 17 years, from 1989 until his retirement in 2006. During his tenure, the league expanded with four new franchises and experienced unprecedented labor peace and financial growth. Before leading the NFL, he was a prominent lawyer at the Washington, D.C. firm Covington & Burling, where he served as counsel to the league.