SBJ Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Tagliabue

SBJ Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Tagliabue

May 24, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC, May 24, 2012 — SportsBusiness Journal honored Paul Tagliabue with its Lifetime Achievement Award on May 23 during the fifth annual Sports Business Awards held in New York City.

This marks the first year SportsBusiness Journal announced the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award prior to the ceremony, explaining: “We had a change of heart this year when it came to Tagliabue, believing that he deserved to be honored in front of the many who admire and respect him. We told NFL team owners and former colleagues of this tribute, and the common refrain was, ‘It’s about time.’” SportsBusiness Journal added that “Tagliabue richly deserves this honor as he has spent his adult life dedicated to, and improving, the business of sports.”

Mr. Tagliabue began his legal career at Covington & Burling in 1969 and for many years served as outside counsel to the NFL. He went on to serve as Commissioner of the NFL from 1989 to 2006. After serving as NFL Commissioner, he returned to Covington, where he is resident in the firm’s Washington office.

In accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award before 725 attendees gathered last night at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square, Mr. Tagliabue observed: “As I reflect on these moments and many others in fifty plus years in sports, several thoughts rise to the top. First, I have been very lucky in all of my endeavors to work with many fabulous people, some of whom are here tonight. More important, whatever we achieve in sports ultimately rests on the talents, competitive drive, and super human performances of athletes, teams and coaches.”