PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed on June 17 he will step down at the end of his contract in 2026, with NFL executive Brian Rolapp named as the Tour’s new CEO.
Monahan, who has led the PGA Tour since 2017, has been at the centre of golf’s biggest disruption in recent years: the ongoing merger with LIV Golf and the influx of capital from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
His final years will now focus on ensuring a smooth transition to Rolapp, a seasoned media and business exec who joins from the NFL where he helped spearhead major streaming and broadcasting deals.
“A year ago, I informed our boards that upon completing a decade as Commissioner, I would step down from my role at the end of 2026,” said Monahan.
“Since then, we’ve worked together to identify a leader who can build on our momentum and develop a process that ensures a smooth transition. We’ve found exactly the right leader in Brian Rolapp, and I’m excited to support him as he transitions from the NFL into his new role leading the PGA Tour.”
Taking over from Monahan’s day-to-day responsibilities will be new PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, starting his new role later this summer.
Rolapp will join the PGA Tour Policy Board and the PGA Tour Enterprises Board until the end of 2026, but the tour has not explicitly stated he will take over as Commissioner.
A further commercial push
Rolapp’s arrival comes after Monahan and the PGA Tour has accelerated its commercial division to increase investment – which has come from the likes of the Saudi Public Investment Fund; backers of LIV Golf – and opportunities through the formation of the PGA Tour Enterprises.
Other investments of up to $1.5bn have come in the form of Strategic Sports Group and Fenway Sports Group, which was overseen by Monahan. PGA Tour Enterprises also incentivises its players by becoming equity holders and earning more money in the process.
One of the Enterprises Board members is Tiger Woods, who alongside Monahan and other board members, unanimously recommended Rolapp for the role.
“Brian’s appointment is a win for players and fans,” said Woods. “He has a clear respect for the game and our players and brings a fresh perspective from his experience in the NFL. I’m excited about what’s ahead and confident that with Brian’s leadership, we’ll continue to grow the Tour in ways that benefit everyone who loves this sport.”
As CEO, Rolapp will lead the PGA Tour into its next phase of growth, one focused on growing the tour’s commercial portfolio, investment and opportunities. Rolapp will also assume Monahan’s duties once or if a new Commissioner is confirmed, which involves the management, public relations, rule enforcement and more.
“I’m honored to join the PGA Tour at such a pivotal time,” said Rolapp. “The PGA Tour represents the highest level of competition, integrity and global opportunity in the game of golf, and I believe deeply in the Tour’s mission and its potential to grow even stronger.
“Commissioner Monahan is an incredible leader, and it has been a pleasure getting to know him throughout the interview process. I greatly appreciate his commitment to making me successful in the role and look forward to working with him in partnership throughout this transition.”
Rolapp’s background
Rolapp comes with vast experience within US sports business, having spent 20 years at the NFL in roles including Chief Operating Officer, Executive VP of Media and more recently, Chief Media and Business Officer.
In his various media-based roles at the NFL, Rolapp helped the league secure valuable broadcast rights deals with traditional US cable networks, as well as innovating within the space, landing streaming deals for games on Amazon Prime Video, NBC’s Peacock and Netflix.
Having also spent a three-year stint at NBC Universal as Director of Corporate Business Development, Rolapp’s three decade experience in the sports broadcasting industry will no doubt be leveraged for the next PGA Tour broadcast rights deal. The current eight-year deal with NBC expires in 2030.
Rolapp recently stated what attracted him to the role was how he could work with PGA Tour players as they are owners of the league through PGA Tour Enterprises, as well as collaborating with them to work on what is best for fans.
“I think ultimately what has attracted me about this opportunity is that it’s unique in sports in that the players own the Tour,” he said.
“It’s their Tour. They are the shareholders. They are the owners, so I certainly work for them. Having said that, and we talked a little bit about this in our player meeting, I think they know what’s good for fans is also good for the Tour.
“Working in the sports business as long as I have, sometimes it’s not that complicated. If you think what’s best for the fan, it’s usually best for everybody involved. So I think we’re going to keep that mindset here.”
