PGA Tour Prepares to Introduce Football League Executive as New Chief Executive Officer
Here's the revised, informal, and straightforward version:
Brian Rolapp, an NFL exec with a whopping 22-year career, is set to leave the gridiron for the fairways, as he's reportedly taking the helm as PGA Tour CEO!
The news was dropped by ESPN's Adam Schefter and Seth Wickersham. According to Schefter, Rolapp, who's been considered a potential successor to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is ditching his post as the league's EVP for the PGA Tour CEO gig.
A memo from Goodell confirming Rolapp's departure was later posted by Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter—although the NFL commish didn't spill the beans about Rolapp joining the PGA Tour.
Rolapp kicked off his career as an analyst at CIBC World Markets before moving up to Director of Business Development at NBC Universal. He made his way to the NFL Network in 2003, climbing the ranks to Director of Finance and Strategy and Senior Vice President of Media Strategy and Digital Media. In 2011, he was appointed COO of NFL Media and three years later, he became the Executive Vice President of NFL Media and the CEO and President of the NFL Network. Since 2017, he's served as the NFL's Chief Media and Business Officer.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan hinted at this move six months ago in an end-of-year message to golf fans, where he confirmed the creation of the CEO position. Since then, there's been a fair bit of chatter about a partnership between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the backers of LIV Golf. Despite some optimism and even White House involvement, a breakthrough's yet to be achieved.
Earlier this year, the PGA Tour announced an investment deal with the Strategic Sports Group, a group of wealthy sports team owners.
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Brian Rolapp, after a long career in sports, is venturing into golf by reportedly accepting the position as PGA Tour CEO. The move comes as he leaves his post as the NFL's Executive Vice President.
Despite the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, golf enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting updates on this front.
