Compare PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s salary to Roger Goodell’s

If the reported salaries of other major sports commissioners in the US are correct, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is the second-highest paid of all chief executives.

According to the PGA Tour’s 2023 tax return, Monahan received 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 a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Monahan’s compensation package is also approved by the PGA Tour Policy Board. Six players are members of the board.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan plays during the Pro-Am before the 2024 RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort on November 20, 2024 in St. Simons Island, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

In an email 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 are other commissioners doing?

Peacock sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung (left) interviews NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo game at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory attribution: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The salaries of top executives in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are not subject to public record and the respective leagues do not release this information. Reported amounts also may not include all deferred and incentive packages.

But according to published reports:

• According to Forbes, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell earned $63.9 million annually in 2021. His contract was recently extended until March 2027.
• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to fans at the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cincinnati Bengals game at EverBank Stadium on Dec. 4, 2023 in Jacksonville.
• Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred makes $17.5 million per year. It was extended until 2029.
• NBA boss Adam Silver makes around $10 million per year and has had his contract extended through the 2029-30 season.
• LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux earned $985,494 in 2022, the most recent tax return available.

LIV Golf League Commissioner Greg Norman’s salary was not disclosed.

How much did the PGA Tour make in 2023?

The tax return reported $1.82 billion in receipts and $2.52 billion in sales of non-inventory assets, for a total gross of $4.33 billion.