Report: PGA Tour set to name new chief executive

The PGA Tour are reportedly on the verge of naming a new chief executive, according to a report.

Per ESPN, the North American circuit will name Brian Rolapp as their new CEO. 

Rolapp has been working in the NFL for more than two decades and was believed to be a successor to commissioner Roger Goodell. 

Current PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced last December the estabished circuit had begun their search for a new CEO. 

Monahan is not being replaced and will remain as CEO and board member of PGA Tour Enterprises. 

Rolapp, who has been with the NFL since 2003, will work directly under Monahan. 

PGA Tour Enterprises was created in 2023 along with a major investment from the Strategic Sports Group. 

It is understood Arthur Blank, the billionaire owner of the Atlanta Falcons, along with Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, were part of the search committee. 

The PGA Tour have not commented on the news, which broke on day one of the 2025 US Open at Oakmont.

The US Open is run by the United States Golf Association, which is separate to the Tour. 

Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter reported Rolapp was identified as the top choice. 

NASCAR boss Steve Phelps and TaylorMade Golf's CEO David Abeles were also considered, SBJ reported. 

SBJ have claimed the aforementioned Goodell has already written to NFL executives confirming Rolapp's departure.

"We have spent some time planning for this change and are confident we will successfully manage the responsibilities while we align our structure to meet our long-term strategic goals," Goodell wrote. 

Monahan has been the Tour's commissioner since 2017. He replaced longtime boss Tim Finchem. 

He is just the fourth commissioner in the Tours' history. He stepped away from his role, briefly, in 2023 owing to stress. 

Monahan and LIV Golf chairman, mastermind and Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan announced a shock framework agreement on 6 June 2023. 

The deal was made without PGA Tour members' knowledge and Monahan drew heavy criticism. 

Monahan and the PGA Tour are still in negotiations with the PIF but it appears no deal is in sight, despite intervention from American president Donald Trump. 

Before The Masters, the Guardian reported the Tour rejected a $1.5bn offer of investment from the PIF with the caveat that the LIV Golf League could continue in its current form. 

It is understood the PGA Tour do not see a future for team golf and value the breakaway at a mere $500m. 

Who is Brian Rolapp?

Rolapp is a vastly experienced media executive. 

He graduated from Harvard Business School and has worked for the likes of CIBC World Markets and NBC Universal. 

He joined the NFL in 2003 as the director of finance and strategy. 

He was promoted to vice president of media strategy and digital media in 2005. 

In 2007, his title was changed again to senior vice president.  

In 2014, he became the executive vice president of NFL Media and president of NFL Network.