NEW YORK - Whoever replaces Paul Tagliabue as NFL commissioner can thank him for setting up a six-year cushion of labor peace and flowing riches.

The 65-year-old commissioner will step down in July after a 16-year tenure that was the most prosperous in NFL history.

''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 said Monday, a few hours after he had notified the 32 owners that he was stepping down.

''As difficult as this decision is, I also know it's the right decision,'' Tagliabue said. ''Right for me. Right for the league.''

Tagliabue has been in charge since 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle, and agreed last March to stay to complete the TV deal and a long-term contract with players.

He finally got that done 12 days ago, finishing the most arduous labor negotiations since the league and union agreed on a free agencysalary cap deal in 1992.