Why an NFL exec walked away from Goodell’s shadow for the PGA Tour

Brian Rolapp is a longtime NFL executive and vice president. He was widely considered to be the next NFL Commissioner to succeed Roger Goodell. But he shocked the world with his announcement on Thursday.

Instead, Rolapp is leaving the league after 22 years to become the next CEO of the PGA Tour instead. Goodell sent a memo to the team executives and presidents about Rolapp’s departure, but the PGA Tour hasn’t yet confirmed it.

Rolapp’s PGA decision

Rolapp’s role with the PGA Tour comes at a critical moment as the Tour continues to negotiate a possible partnership with LIV Golf and grows its new for-profit PGA Tour Enterprises.

Currently, Jay Monahan is still the CEO, but Rolapp will be leading the Tour’s commercial expansion as well as navigating the evolving golf landscape. The PGA Tour announced last year that they’d be looking for a new CEO already to work alongside Monahan.

“This is a signal that we’re on the right track,” Tour chief marketing and communications officer Andy Weitz said in December of the new CEO position. “This is another example of making sure we have the right people in the right roles. To come together and really create some exciting experiences for fans in 2025 and beyond.”

Rolapp’s hiring signals a strategic shift as the PGA Tour looks to strengthen its business operations and respond to mounting pressures from the LIV-backed rival league.

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