There was a time during the NFL lockout in 2011 that Roger Goodell was voluntarily earning a $1 salary. With a collective bargaining agreement eventually reached with the players, and only one preseason game missed, Goodell's compensation went up quite a bit.

A copy obtained of the league's tax return confirms the commissioner earned $29.49 million in 2011. The league's general counsel, Jeff Pash, who also reduced his salary to $1 during the lockout, came away with $8.8 million in total compensation.

Goodell earned $11.6 million in 2010.

"The NFL is the most successful and best-managed sports league in the world," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement obtained by The Sports Business Daily. "This is no small part due to Roger's leadership and the value he brings to the table in every facet of the sport and business of the league. His compensation reflects that."

The Sports Business Daily was the first to report the numbers.

Goodell's compensation likely makes him the highest-paid commissioner in sports. Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and NBA commissioner David Stern earn in the range of $20 million annually.