Former ROH COO Joe Koff Passes Away

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Joe Koff, the man who guided Ring of Honor through the Sinclair Broadcast Group era.

Koff’s passing was announced on Tuesday by MLW, who praised his unwavering honor, integrity, and passion for the sport. Born in 1951, Koff was not only a lifelong wrestling fan but also a veteran of the television industry, dedicating decades to both fields.

“MLW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. On behalf of MLW, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Joe always led with honor, integrity, and a passion for the sport we all cherish. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he inspired. Thank you, Joe, for your contributions and unwavering dedication to wrestling. Rest in peace.”

Koff’s first taste of the wrestling world came during his time working at a Tampa television station that produced Championship Wrestling from Florida. His wrestling career soared when he, alongside Jim Cornette and Gary Juster, brokered the 2011 deal that saw Sinclair Broadcast Group acquire Ring of Honor from Cary Silkin. Koff held the title of Chief Operating Officer for ROH during a transformative period in the company’s history.

Under Sinclair’s ownership, ROH grew into a force in the wrestling world, until the company was sold to AEW’s Tony Khan in 2022. After the sale, Koff reflected on his tenure with ROH, sharing a message of gratitude to the fans and the talent he worked with:

“As I look back on this amazing journey, there are so many people who joined this journey with me, our staff, our brilliant athletes that you will always know as Ring of Honor, our partners in production and distribution, our vendors and most importantly, you, our fans. I want to thank you personally for your continuous support, belief in me and our product, what we could do, what we would do, what we did! It was the journey of a lifetime and I thank you for sharing it with me.”

Joe Koff’s impact on the wrestling world will not be forgotten, as he leaves behind a legacy built on respect, passion, and dedication to the sport.