After 16 years in the NFL, commissioner Paul Tagliabue is finally calling it a career. This July, Tagliabue will retire from the league at age 65. Tagliabue took over for Pete Rozells back in 1989. Tagliabue's final mission was to complete the long-term contract with players, as well as television deals with networks.

"I really want to emphasize how much of a privilege it is to spend most of your adult life with the NFL. This is not an easy decision for me," Tagliabue on Monday. "As difficult as this decision is, I also know it's the right decision. Right for me. Right for the league."

At the moment, no one has been chosen to replace Tagliabue. However, Roger Goodell, the NFL's cheif operating officer, and Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay are the leading candidate to fill in.

The discussion of a new commissioner should begin at owner meetings next week in Orlando, Florida. Steelers' owner Dan Rooney was the first to hear of the news, and the rest of the owners were notified via e-mail.

"We've got the best labor deal in sports. We've got the best league. He's been our leader. The whole way he's done this has been wonderful," Rooney said to the AP.

Tagliabue will still be a senior executive and a consaultant through 2008.