The NFL will not replace longtime executive Brian Rolapp with one person, according to someone familiar with the league’s plan. Rolapp’s vast responsibilities will be divided among current NFL executives, per the source, who was granted anonymity because the details are private.
Last week, Rolapp was named the first CEO of the PGA Tour. He spent more than 20 years at the NFL and had been its chief media and business officer since 2017. Rolapp spearheaded the league’s media strategy, with its current agreements worth more than $120 billion over 11 years. He also oversaw the league’s sponsorship business and its investment arm, 32 Equity, which has invested in DraftKings, Fanatics, Genius Sports and NoBull.
“We have spent some time planning for this change and are confident we will successfully manage the responsibilities while we align our structure to meet our long-term strategic goals,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote in a memo to team presidents announcing Rolapp’s departure.
The NFL did not respond to a request to comment on its plans to replace Rolapp.
Hans Schroeder is one executive who should absorb many of Rolapp’s responsibilities on the media side. He joined the NFL in 2001 and was Rolapp’s deputy as COO of NFL Media. Keeping the NFL’s media partners happy is a critical role; they provide the bulk of the $400 million-plus check each team gets from the league office annually.
The NFL has an opt-out of its media deals in 2029, and the league recognizes its leverage as the undisputed leader in drawing viewers to live broadcasts. At the last Super Bowl, Goodell told reporters that the NFL’s option to exit its current media rights contracts presents an “incredibly valuable” opportunity for the league.
Renie Anderson, who joined the league office in 2006, is another top lieutenant at the NFL who will take on more. She was named chief revenue officer in 2019 and oversees partnerships, sponsorships and consumer products. Anderson also handles media sales across NFL Network, NFL Digital Media and the league’s legalized sports betting business.
Other top executives who could shoulder greater duties include David Jurenka, who is a senior VO at NFL Media, and Dhruv Prasad, who heads 32 Equity.
Rolapp was deemed a potential successor to Goodell, although the commissioner has two more years on his current contract and is likely to sign an extension.
“I don’t expect they will fill that [Rolapp] role with any one person, not from inside, not from outside,” Marc Ganis, longtime advisor to Goodell and NFL owners, said. “The talent that is there is going to have more opportunity to spread their wings.”
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