If reported salaries of other major sports commissioners in the U.S. are accurate, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is the second-highest paid of all chief executives.
According to the PGA Tour’s 2023 tax return, Monahan was paid more than $23 million in regular and deferred compensation, starting with a base salary of $1,887,096. He also earned $12.1 million in bonuses and incentives, $2.5 million in retirement benefits and $6.7 million in long-term incentives.
Sportico first reported Monahan’s salary after receiving the tax return. Salary information for the Tour’s top executives is public record because it is a 501(c)(6) trade organization and PGA Tour events are 501 (c)(3) non-profits. Monahan’s compensation package also is approved by the PGA Tour Policy Board. Six players are members of the board.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan plays during the Pro-Am prior to The RSM Classic 2024 at Sea Island Resort on November 20, 2024, in St Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
In an emailed response to Sportico, a PGA Tour spokesman said more than $9 million of Monahan’s earnings are deferred and could change in value depending on interest rates.
Monahan earned more than $18.4 million in 2022.
What do other commissioners make?
Peacock sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung (left) interviews NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo Game at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The salaries of the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball top executives aren’t subject to public record and the respective leagues do not release that information. The reported amounts also may not contain all deferred and incentive packages.
But according to published reports:
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earned $63.9 million annually as recently as 2021, according to Forbes. His contract was recently extended to March of 2027.
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell talks to fans at the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals game on Dec. 4, 2023, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
- Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred earns $17.5 million per year. He has been extended to 2029.
- NBA chief executive Adam Silver earns around $10 million per year, and has been extended through the 2029-30 season.
- LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux earned $985,494 in 2022, the most recent tax filing available.
The salary of LIV Golf League commissioner Greg Norman has not been made public.
How much did the PGA Tour make in 2023?
The tax return showed $1.82 billion in revenue and $2.52 billion in sales of non-inventory assets, or a total gross of $4.33 billion.
