Pete Bevacqua leaving the PGA of America to head NBC Sports Group
Golf Biz

Pete Bevacqua leaving the PGA of America to head NBC Sports Group

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Current PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua is leaving his post with the organization to become the President of NBC Sports Group.

Bevacqua takes over this newly created position for NBC Sports Group, which comprises everything under the banner of NBC Sports on the broadcast network, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), NBC Sports regional sports networks and Golf Channel. Bevacqua will report to Mark Lazarus, who's the Chairman of NBC Sports Group.

“With the expansion of NBC Sports Group over the last seven years, and our continuing investments in new and existing businesses, adding Pete to our already strong management team will help us organize for future growth,” said Lazarus in a release. “We are thrilled to have someone with his experience and reputation join our organization.”

Bevacqua has been CEO of the PGA of America since 2012, moving from a post as Chief Business Officer of the USGA. He had been in the running to become the LPGA Commissioner, a job which ultimately went to Mike Whan. Bevacqua transformed the stature of the PGA of America, helping to further elevate the Ryder Cup and engineering the move of the PGA Championship from August to May starting in 2019.

“The opportunity to join NBC Sports Group, and the larger Company of Comcast NBCUniversal, which holds media rights to the world’s biggest events and an incredible assortment of assets, was too good to be true,” said Bevacqua. “I am also deeply grateful to the membership, leadership and staff at the PGA of America. Professionally and personally, for me and my family, these have been the best six years of my life. Leading the PGA of America and the 29,000 PGA Golf Professionals will always mean a great deal to me.”

The Bevacqua move could be fascinating for the PGA of America's PGA Championship TV rights deal which becomes available after 2019. CBS and Turner Sports have long teamed up to air what has been the season's final major. However, NBC Sports Group will certainly be among the bidders for the May-bound major.

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is the founder, owner and operator of Golf News Net.

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