Marshall Edmund Leahy (October 10, 1910 – January 3, 1983) was an American attorney who was the chief legal counsel for the National Football League.
[5] He represented the NFL before the Supreme Court of the United States in Radovich v. National Football League.
[5] Before voting began, Leahy stated that he would not leave San Francisco if elected commissioner, which resulted in strong opposition from four owners (Carroll Rosenbloom, Art Rooney, George Preston Marshall, and Frank L. McNamee), who did not want the league office moved to the west coast.
[8][9] At the January 20, 1960 owners meeting, Leahy received 7 votes to Gunsel's 5, which was short of the two-thirds needed to be elected commissioner.
[9] After an eight-day deadlock, Leahy's supporters finally gave in and Los Angeles Rams general manager Pete Rozelle was elected as a compromise candidate.