The PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, is reported to be the second-highest paid chief executive among major sports commissioners in the U.S. In 2023, Monahan received over $23 million in regular and deferred compensation, including $12.1 million in bonuses and incentives. His base salary was $1,887,096, with additional earnings from retirement benefits and long-term incentives. Salary details for top executives of the PGA Tour are public record due to its status as a 501(c)(6) trade organization and the approval of compensation packages by the PGA Tour Policy Board.
Monahan’s compensation is higher than that of other sports commissioners, including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who reportedly earned $63.9 million annually in 2021. However, the salaries of executives in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball are not publicly disclosed, and reported amounts may not include all deferred and incentive packages. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is said to earn $17.5 million per year, while NBA chief executive Adam Silver earns around $10 million annually.
In 2022, Monahan earned over $18.4 million, with more than $9 million of that amount deferred and subject to changes based on interest rates. The PGA Tour’s revenue in 2023 was reported to be $1.82 billion, with sales of non-inventory assets totaling $2.52 billion. This resulted in a total gross of $4.33 billion for the PGA Tour.
Other commissioners, such as LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux, earned significantly less than their counterparts in major sports organizations. Marcoux’s salary in 2022 was reported to be $985,494, according to the most recent tax filing available. The salary of LIV Golf League commissioner Greg Norman has not been disclosed to the public, unlike other major sports commissioners. Overall, Jay Monahan’s compensation as PGA Tour commissioner stands out as one of the highest among sports executives in the U.S., reflecting the success and profitability of the PGA Tour under his leadership.
