Joe Koff, the former ROH Chief Operating Officer when The Sinclair Broadcast Group owned it, has passed away.
PWInsider.com first reported the news today. Per their report, Koff had been battling cancer for some time, with the decision made in August to “discontinue treatment in order to enhance the quality of time he had left with his family” before passing away on Monday night.
Mike Johnson noted that Koff did not want anyone to feel sad or sorry for him, as he had a great life and wanted to keep the news quiet. The report noted, “He faced his illness with a dignity that is impossible to describe and when we last spoke at length, he was very much at peace.”
Koff was the distributor for Championship Wrestling from Florida’s Battle of the Belts specials in the ’80s before working as The General Sales Manager for a number of television stations. In 2003, he began working for Sinlcair as the Senior Vice President of Training and Development.
ROH was bought by Sinclair in 2011. Later, ROH was under the vision of Koff, who was well respected in wrestling and the company that was a key figure in the growth of the promotion. Among other key ROH figures, Koff is credited with helping ROH be one of the first promotions to safely return to wrestling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ROH later took a different leadership approach before eventually being sold to Tony Khan and AEW.
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… pic.twitter.com/JNY7g2ILHG
— MLW (@MLW) October 15, 2024
