Former NFL Commissioner To Speak At KU

Oct. 30, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue will speak at The University of Kansas’ Dole Institute Thursday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m. Tagliabue will discuss his time as NFL commissioner (1989 to 2006) and how globalization is affecting the sports world. The event is free and open to the public.

Tagliabue’s appearance will kick off the Dole Institute’s Leadership and Globalization in Sports series, which will look into aspects of sports broader than wins, losses and national rankings. Programs throughout the year will explore sports leadership, doping, sports as a universal language to bridge political gaps, globalization of various sports and related issues. Guest speakers will include individuals from athletic backgrounds whose roles have required them to think in a more big-picture-oriented way towards sports and their impact around the world.

About Paul Tagliabue….

Paul Tagliabue served as the Commissioner (CEO) of the National Football League from 1989 until September 1, 2006.

Tagliabue is now engaged in a range of endeavors, including in the practice of law, business advisory services and higher education. In the latter area, he serves as vice-chair of the Georgetown University board of directors and chairs the board of the Graduate Institute of International Relations and Commerce of the State University of New York (SUNY). Tagliabue also serves on the boards of other civic and non-profit organizations.

During Tagliabue’s 17 years as NFL commissioner, the League addressed many key priorities. Among them, the League developed multiple television and new media partnerships; operated under successive long-term labor agreements with the NFL Players Association; supported the construction of more than 20 new NFL team stadiums; and established NFL operations in overseas markets.

Before becoming the NFL’s CEO, Tagliabue practiced law in the District of Columbia from 1969 to 1989 and was a partner at the Covington & Burling law firm, representing the NFL and a range of other clients. Tagliabue has recently rejoined Covington & Burling as senior of counsel with offices in Washington and New York. Before practicing law, Tagliabue served in the U.S. Department of Defense as a policy analyst.

In recent years, Tagliabue has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and elsewhere, and has engaged in business, higher education and public policy discussions in China, India, Japan and Europe with representatives of business, government and academia.

Tagliabue and his wife Chandler reside in the District of Columbia. Tagliabue graduated from Georgetown University with honors in political science in 1962. He received his law degree in 1965 with honors at New York University School of Law, and he has since received honorary degrees from several universities.