The PGA Tour is reportedly on the verge of appointing NFL executive vice president Brian Rolapp as its new CEO, a move aimed at bolstering commissioner Jay Monahan’s leadership, ESPN reports. Monahan had announced last year that the PGA Tour was in search of a new CEO for the 2025 season, with hopes of a merger agreement with LIV Golf.
However, the new season kicked off without a fresh face at the helm, leading to increased scrutiny of Monahan’s leadership, particularly from two-time PGA Tour winner Andrew Landry. Several high-profile names were considered for the position, including NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps and TaylorMade Golf CEO David Abeles. But it appears Rolapp, who has spent 22 years with the NFL, is set to make the switch to the PGA Tour.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Seth Wickersham report that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed Rolapp’s departure in a memo sent to team executives and presidents on Thursday. The PGA Tour is expected to finalize Rolapp’s appointment during a board meeting on Monday.
Rolapp, who played a key role in the NFL’s recent growth spurt, has been touted as a potential successor to Goodell. Despite his impending move to the PGA Tour, it’s anticipated that he will remain a top contender for the NFL commissioner role when Goodell eventually steps down.
Monahan revealed last year a search for a fresh CEO in a heartfelt note to PGA Tour followers at the season’s conclusion. “We’re bringing new perspectives onto our team to help realize the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport,” he penned.
“Including launching a search for a CEO of the PGA Tour. We can learn so much from across the world of sport and entertainment and I’m excited to meet candidates for this important new role.”
Rolapp, who’s been with the NFL for over two decades and has held his current position since 2017, previously served as the NFL’s chief operating officer and as senior vice president of media strategy and digital media.
The departing NFL executive has played a key part in securing advertisement contracts, arranging television deals, and managing league sponsorships, raking in more than $10 billion annually for the league. Now Rolapp takes on the mission to navigate the PGA Tour, amid ongoing talks with rival LIV Golf.
Discussions on merging continue, albeit with no substantial progress since the initial agreement paperwork in June 2023. While Monahan holds out hope for a merger, golf champion Rory McIlroy remains skeptical.
DON’T MISS…
“Look, I think it takes two to tango,” remarked McIlroy. “So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough. I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of just having all the best players together again.”
PGA luminary Bryson DeChambeau weighed in on the tour’s dynamics, opining: “But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal. I think it would still be the ideal scenario for golf as a whole. But from a pure PGA Tour perspective, I don’t think it necessarily needs it.”
While at an event in Hong Kong, the LIV Golf star shared his vision saying, “I continue to see LIV Golf growing. It’s going to grow at an exponentiating pace for years to come, and we aren’t going anywhere.”
Link
0