NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earned just over $34 million for 2014, according to the league’s tax filing released Tuesday.

That total is actually down a bit from 2013 ($35 million) and 2012, when Goodell collected $44.2 million, including $9 million in bonuses and deferred pension.

The payments for 2014 — a difficult season for the league and the commissioner that involved high-profile player misconduct cases and a revamping of the NFL conduct policy — included a $26.5 million bonus negotiated the previous year.

Goodell came under heavy criticism in 2014 for his decisions in the Ray Rice case, and other incidents involving Adrian Peterson and Kevin Hardy drew headlines. While the public and the players’ union questioned his ability to handle his duties, the 32 team owners have shown nothing but solid support for Goodell, who just finished his 10th season as commissioner.

Indeed, the league’s revenues and popularity continue to rise, and the owners obviously compensate Goodell handsomely. He became commissioner in 2006.

By comparison, PGA commissioner Tim Finchem made $11.2 million in 2014, with a one-time payoff on an incentive plan worth $3.7 million. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s most recent public earnings were $9.6 million. NBA commissioner Adam Silver makes about $10 million.

The NFL’s next-highest paid executive was general counsel Jeff Pash at $7.5 million. Eric Grubman, the league’s executive vice president of business ventures who has been heavily involved in the relocation process for Los Angeles, earned $3.89 million.

NFL revenues increased by about $1 billion in 2014 with the beginning of the Thursday night package on CBS, a new deal with DirecTV, and reworking of some sponsorship deals. Total revenues for that fiscal year were more than $13 billion.

Among expenses listed on the NFL’s tax return were more than $13 million for office rent; more than $10 million for concussion research; and $16 million for legal fees.

The tax filing is for the league’s 2014 calendar year, starting April 1, 2014 and ending March 31, 2015.

The league office is no longer classified as a tax-exempt organization. Last year, the NFL decided to change the tax status of the office and to file tax returns as a taxable entity.

The filing released Tuesday is the final one the NFL will be required to make public.

Spagnuolo stays

Steve Spagnuolo will be returning as the Giants’ defensive coordinator. Coach Ben McAdoo announced his staff more than a month after replacing Tom Coughlin.

Twelve of the assistants were on Coughlin’s staff, including all three coordinators. Besides Spagnuolo on defense, Tom Quinn will run special teams again. Mike Sullivan will move from quarterbacks coach to McAdoo’s former position as offensive coordinator.

Craig Johnson (running backs), Kevin M. Gilbride (tight ends), Lunda Wells (assistant offensive line), Ryan Roeder (offensive assistant), Tim Walton (secondary/cornerbacks), David Merritt (secondary/safeties), Rob Leonard (defensive assistant), and Markus Paul (assistant strength and conditioning) and Joe Danos (performance manager) will return as position coaches.

The eight new coaches are Frank Cignetti Jr. (quarterbacks), Adam Henry (receivers), Mike Solari (offensive line), Patrick Graham (defensive line), Jeff Zgonina (assistant defensive line), Bill McGovern (linebackers), Dwayne Stukes (assistant special teams) and Aaron Wellman (strength and conditioning).

Spagnuolo returned to Coughlin’s staff last season for a second stint as coordinator.

‘‘When you look back at this past season, it was great working with Spags,’’ McAdoo said. ‘‘He’s a tremendous leader, gets the players to play hard. We feel that if we continue to develop the young guys, add some pieces to the puzzle, and keep them playing as hard as they played last year, we'll make progress in the second year of the system.’’

Ex-Brown runs scam

A former NFL player withdrew hundreds of thousands of dollars from the account of an inner-city Cleveland charity to satisfy Las Vegas gambling debts and to pay personal expenses, according to charges filed in federal court.

The charges against Reggie Rucker, 68, are contained in an information, which indicates Rucker has agreed to plead guilty. Rucker was a wide receiver who played 12 years in the NFL from 1970 to 1981, including seven seasons with the Browns. He’s charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to an FBI agent. He is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24.

Rucker was executive director for Amer-I-Can Cleveland, a nonprofit group that is an outgrowth of an organization created by Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown in Los Angeles.

Rucker also played a lead role with Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, a coalition of groups that employs outreach workers to quell violence between rival gangs and factions in Cleveland. Amer-I-Can Cleveland is a registered nonprofit; Peacemakers Alliance is not.

A spokesman for the US attorney’s office in Cleveland said that the total loss is estimated at around $100,000.

Mathis retires

Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis has retired. Mathis announced his decision in an interview posted on the team’s website. The 13-year NFL veteran said after last season he may not return to play in the final year of his contract in 2016 because he knew there was life after football. He went on injured reserve with a concussion after starting in seven games last year . . . The Bears released offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod after he made just four starts in 12 games last season. Bushrod, 31, signed a five-year deal with Chicago in 2013 that included $17.7 million in guaranteed money . . . The NFL has announced that the Colts will play the Packers in a fitting matchup for the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 7. A day before the league kicks off the preseason, the Hall of Fame will induct Packers quarterback Brett Favre, former Colts coach Tony Dungy, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison, along with five others who were elected earlier this month . . . The Broncos hired Klint Kubiak as an offensive assistant who will work with the team’s quarterbacks. The eldest son of head coach Gary Kubiak replaces Brian Callahan, who joined the Lions as their quarterbacks coach . . . The Buccaneers hired John Spytek as the team’s director of player personnel . . . The Lions released running back Joique Bell . . . Former NFL offensive lineman Cosey Coleman was arrested after authorities say he struck another man and tried to point a gun at him. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery and later released on $15,000 bail. Coleman played five seasons with the Buccaneers and two with the Browns.