PGA Tour Hires New CEO With NFL Experience
Golf has traditionally been viewed as an inaccessible sport for the country club elite, but efforts have been made to grow the game in recent years.
YouTube has been a major source of inspiration for many young players, following in the footsteps of their favorite content creators and influencers.
Many professional athletes are avid golfers, like Stephen Curry and Josh Allen. LIV Golf has also taken a new approach to golf events, approaching them more like a party than the quieter atmospheres fans may be used to.
The PGA Tour has many of the game's best players, and it's looking to expand its media presence by drawing influence from America's most popular sport - the National Football League.
The tour has hired Brian Rolapp as its new CEO. Rolapp spent more than 20 years with the NFL, most recently working as its Chief Media and Business Officer.
In that role, he oversaw broadcasting rights and league-wide sponsorships. Under his guidance, the league was able to negotiate its current broadcast deals with Amazon, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, Netflix and YouTube.
After joining the league in 2003, he advanced to become COO of NFL Media and eventually to the role of CEO over the NFL Network. He helped the league establish partnerships with major brands like Apple, Nike and Fanatics.
Rolapp was unanimously recommended for the role by the PGA TOUR CEO Search Committee, and will succeed current commissioner Jay Monahan.
"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," Monahan said regarding the move.
“Brian’s appointment is a win for players and fans,” said Tiger Woods, a member of the Search Committee.
“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.”
The PGA Tour has brought in a new CEO after the year's third major. The best golfers in the world - regardless of circuit - will gather for the final centerpiece tournament of the year next month for the Open Championship.