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The PGA Tour is reportedly on the verge of appointing NFL government vice president Brian Rolapp as its new CEO, a transfer aimed toward bolstering commissioner Jay Monahan‘s management, ESPN studies. Monahan had introduced final 12 months that the PGA Tour was in search of a new CEO for the 2025 season, with hopes of a merger settlement with LIV Golf.

However, the new season kicked off with out a recent face on the helm, main to elevated scrutiny of Monahan’s management, notably from two-time PGA Tour winner Andrew Landry. Several high-profile names had been thought of for the place, together with NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps and TaylorMade Golf CEO David Abeles. But it seems Rolapp, who has spent 22 years with the NFL, is set to make the change to the PGA Tour.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Seth Wickersham report that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed Rolapp’s departure in a memo despatched to group executives and presidents on Thursday. The PGA Tour is predicted to finalize Rolapp’s appointment during a board assembly on Monday.

Rolapp, who performed a key function within the NFL’s latest growth spurt, has been touted as a potential successor to Goodell. Despite his impending transfer to the PGA Tour, it is anticipated that he’ll stay a prime contender for the NFL commissioner function when Goodell finally steps down.

Monahan revealed final 12 months a seek for a recent CEO in a heartfelt be aware to PGA Tour followers on the season’s conclusion. “We’re bringing new perspectives onto our team to help realize the incredible opportunities ahead for our sport,” he penned.

“Including launching a search for a CEO of the PGA Tour. We can learn so much from across the world of sport and entertainment and I’m excited to meet candidates for this important new role.”

Rolapp, who’s been with the NFL for over 20 years and has held his present place since 2017, beforehand served as the NFL’s chief working officer and as senior vice president of media strategy and digital media.

The departing NFL government has performed a key half in securing commercial contracts, arranging tv offers, and managing league sponsorships, raking in more than $10 billion yearly for the league. Now Rolapp takes on the mission to navigate the PGA Tour, amid ongoing talks with rival LIV Golf.

Discussions on merging proceed, albeit with no substantial progress because the initial settlement paperwork in June 2023. While Monahan holds out hope for a merger, golf champion Rory McIlroy stays skeptical.

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“Look, I think it takes two to tango,” remarked McIlroy. “So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough. I think the narrative around golf would welcome a deal in terms of just having all the best players together again.”

PGA luminary Bryson DeChambeau weighed in on the tour’s dynamics, opining: “But I don’t think the PGA Tour needs a deal. I think it would still be the ideal scenario for golf as a whole. But from a pure PGA Tour perspective, I don’t think it necessarily needs it.”

While at an occasion in Hong Kong, the LIV Golf star shared his imaginative and prescient saying, “I continue to see LIV Golf growing. It’s going to grow at an exponentiating pace for years to come, and we aren’t going anywhere.”