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

If the reported salaries of other major U.S. sports commissioners are accurate, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is the second highest paid of all CEOs.

According to the PGA Tour’s 2023 tax filing, 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 because it is a 501(c)(6) commercial organization and PGA Tour events are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Monahan’s compensation package is also approved by the PGA Tour Policy Board. Six players are members of the board of directors.

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 emailed response to Sportico, a PGA Tour spokesperson said more than $9 million of Monahan’s earnings were deferred and could change in value depending on interest rates.

Monahan earned over $18.4 million in 2022.

What do the other commissioners earn?

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

Salaries of top executives in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball are not made public and the respective leagues do not disclose this information. Reported amounts may also not include all deferred and incentive programs.

But according to published reports:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell earned $63.9 million per year as recently as 2021, according to Forbes. His contract was recently extended until March 2027.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to fans during the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 4, 2023, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred makes $17.5 million a year. It was extended until 2029.
NBA general manager Adam Silver makes about $10 million a year and was extended through the 2029-30 season.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux earned $985,494 in 2022, the most recent tax filing available.

LIV Golf League Commissioner Greg Norman’s salary has not been made public.

How much did the PGA Tour win in 2023?

The tax return showed $1.82 billion in revenue and $2.52 billion in non-inventory asset sales, for a gross total of $4.33 billion.