Rozelle, Pete (Alvin Rozelle), 1926–96, American football executive, b. South Gate, Calif. As commissioner of the National Football League (NFL; 1960–89), he guided the league through expansion from 12 to 28 teams, establishing a reputation for tough, even-handed control. He negotiated lucrative television contracts and convinced owners to pool receipts, suspended players for gambling, maintained stability during the NFL's merger with the American Football League, and secured the league's exemption from antitrust prosecution. He presided during two players' strikes in 1982 and 1987.

Rozelle, Pete

orig. Alvin Ray Rozelle

(born March 1, 1926, South Gate, Calif., U.S.—died Dec. 6, 1996, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) U.S. sports executive and commissioner of the National Football League (NFL). He graduated from the University of San Francisco and initially worked in public relations. Named commissioner in 1960, he doubled the league's size, helped create the Super Bowl, and negotiated lucrative television deals with the networks. In 1966 Rozelle secured an agreement to merge the NFL with the rival American Football League. In 1970 he persuaded ABC to broadcast Monday Night Football, which proved a huge success. NFL attendance more than tripled during his tenure, which lasted until 1989.