American professional wrestling executive (1951–2024)
Joe Koff (1951 – October 15, 2024) was an American professional wrestling personality. He is best known for his role with the promotion Ring of Honor, where he worked as chief operating officer.[1]
Life and career
Koff began to work on television in the 1980s. He was the television distributor for Championship Wrestling from Florida's Battle of the Belts specials. Despite the promotion offering a full-time job, he decided to stay on television. He worked as the General Sales Manager for several radio and television stations, including WFLX-TV and WNUV. In 2003 he began to work with Sinclair Broadcast Group, where he became the senior vice president of training and development. He suggested Sinclair enter the pro wrestling and proposed Ring of Honor.[2] On May 21, 2011, Sinclair purchased the professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor, and ROH's programming began airing on September 24, 2011.[3] Koff worked for Ring of Honor as chief operating officer until May 2022, after ROH was sold to Tony Khan.[4] According Cary Silkin, Koff kept ROH alive between 2012 and 2022.[5]
Koff died from cancer on October 15, 2024, at the age of 73.[6][7] After his death, Tony Khan paid tribute to him during the Ring of Honor tapings.[8]
