PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan Reportsedly Facing Termination by End of Year
Breaking: Jay Monahan's Reign as PGA Tour Commissioner May Be Coming to an End
Looks like it's curtains for Jay Monahan as PGA Tour commissioner, with his last day in the hot seat potentially happening sooner rather than later. According to James Colgan of GOLF, the Tour could be giving Monahan the old heave-ho to make room for Brian Rolapp to step up and take over operations. Sources say Monahan might be out by the end of 2025, but no later than 2026.
Monahan, who turned 55 this year, has been on the job since January 2017, and before that served as executive director of The Players Championship. The dude's been instrumental in some major moves for the Tour, like brokering a deal with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2023—the sole funder of LIV Golf. Monahan also finalized a sweet $3 billion deal with Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of American billionaires, in 2024.
He's weathered some stormy times with the rise of LIV Golf, but talks between the Tour and the Saudis seem to have gone cold recently.
But who's this Brian Rolapp character?
He's been the Chief Media and Business Officer of the NFL and has long been tipped to become the first ever CEO of the PGA Tour. The board's likely to officially announce him as the boss after a vote at this week's Travelers Championship. Rolapp spent 15 years under the NFL umbrella, starting with a gig as the Director of Finance and Strategy at the NFL Network in 2003. He worked his way up the ladder, holding senior media roles and being touted as a possible successor to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
*Trump Takes a Flight to the Middle East to Tell LIV Golf Officials Their Future Looks Grim*
And finally, some trivia for you—here are some fascinating facts about Rolapp's time with the NFL:
- Rolapp played a significant role in shaping the live sports experience and boosting the NFL's digital reach, particularly through the launch of NFL+.
- He held several senior media roles under the NFL umbrella, including COO of NFL Media and CEO of NFL Network.
- Rolapp's appointment as CEO of the PGA Tour marks a significant shift for the Tour, as he brings his extensive experience from the NFL to lead the tour into its next phase of growth and innovation[1][2].
Golf enthusiasts might be intrigued to learn that Brian Rolapp, set to become the first CEO of the PGA Tour, boasts a rich background in sports management. Having spent 15 years with the NFL, he played a crucial role in shaping live sports experiences and bolstering the NFL's digital reach, notably during the launch of NFL+. Rolapp's expertise in media roles, including stints as COO of NFL Media and CEO of NFL Network, promises to bring innovative strategies to the PGA Tour as it navigates future growth.
