NFL commissioner takes pay freeze

NEW YORK, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A league spokesman said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is freezing his pay for 2009 and cutting his 2008 compensation by 20 to 25 percent.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Goodell, 49, is freezing his $11 million annual compensation as part of the league-wide salary freeze for employees, despite his contract stating that he is entitled to an automatic pay raise, USA Today reported Friday.

McCarthy said the commissioner is also taking the cut to his salary and bonuses for fiscal 2008, which concludes March 31, to help cut costs during the current economic recession.

"The commissioner believes it will take a collective sacrifice of everyone to get through this difficult economic environment," McCarthy said.