The PGA Tour is stifling with multiple changes since the day new CEO Brian Rolapp took over the command. In just a few months, the former NFL executive has started reshaping the organizations’s structure, forming new committee, as well as a financial outlook (much to the annoyance of many), all while signalling that more is yet to come. And as part of these changes, a crucial deadline for many in the Tour is approaching.

The select few employees eligible for the organization’s voluntary buyout program – which was announced in late August – have now time until the first of November to decide whether they want to opt it or not, Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter has reported.

This buyout program, as per many sources, is open to employees whose age and tenure at the PGA Tour totals at 70 or more. This is a formula which is designed to target the most senior members of its 1300 workers across the globe, which is 5-10% of the total tour’s employee. Earlier, those eligible were given time till September 15 to express their interest. Now, as the deadline has been extended, a wave of murmur has enused about what more the tour is preparing to bring.

Brian Rolapp, who switched to PGA Tour from NFL this July, had introduced this voluntary retirement intiative as part of what he called a broader effort to “reallocate resources.” The idea clearly came to him from his time in NFL, as last year the sports org extended similar packages to around 200 of its employees. But for Rolapp, there is a larger vision behind the move.

While announcing the program at an all-staff meet in August, Rolapp outlined his plan for the tour’s long-term direction. “Look, the sports business is not that complicated. You get the product right, you get the right partners, your fans will reward you with their time because they’re telling you it’s good and they want more of it, and then the commercial and the business part will take care of itself,” Rolapp had said then.

He then also introduced a newly formed Future Competitions Committee, which would be chair by Tiger Woods. Woods, who was present in the room that day reportedly backed Rolapp’s vision. This committee itself is one such vision, which will likely modernize the decision making process of the Tour and align it’s operations with an evolving business model, especially as it navigates parternship with Strategic Sports Group.

But anyway, this buyout is not the only sign of a more strategically focused tour. Earlier this month, PGA Tour Champions players were informed that their pension pool would be reduced by 20%. That is from $10 million in 2024 to $8 million in 2025. This, as per the officials, was a move for a broader financial belt-tightening. So it’s becoming more clear that with these moves, Rolapp and co are looking to wisely use the $1.5 billion investement poured in by The SSG.

And what’s interesting is, that as Rolapp is making these changes, he’s also adding new faces to his team.

Brian Rolapp brings new NFL hires

Looks like Rolapp is missing some of his old NFL crew, as the new PGA Tour CEO has swiftly hired some of them his team in the new office. Two former NFL executives — Dhruv Prasad and Paul Hicks — have been tapped by Rolapp for top roles in commerical and communications, marking the most significant exec shake-up since his arrival in Ponte Vedra.

Prasad, who’s tenure starts from the this month’s end, i.e., October 28th will be the Chief Commercial Officer. His responsibility will be overseeing the corporate partnership, media, gaming, licensing, merchandising and much more. Prasad has been a key player in NFL as he helped in structuring the ESPN equity deal, the Skydance Sports joint venture, and the launch of EverPass Media. So it’s unsaid that expectations will be high for him, especially with LIV Golf’s deal now on the periphery.

Then there is Hicks who will be taking over as the Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Policy from November 3rd. He will be reuniting with Rolapp after their five-year stretch together at the NFL from 2010-2015. Hicks, too has great communications pedigree and will help guide the PGA Tour for the same.

All of these changes and shake-ups have been done at the time when important and reliable employees have announcded their retirement from the Tour. These have definitely raised some eyebrows. Anyway, with a new squad on his back, it’s interesting to see what more Rolapp and his former NFL team brings to the table.