Kaplan Leaving NAB After 14 Years
• NAB announced that Rick Kaplan, Chief Legal Officer & EVP, Legal and Regulatory Affairs will depart at the end of 2026, following more than 14 years of exceptional contributions to NAB.
Kaplan’s tenure at NAB has been defined by a proven track record of high-impact successes. Most notably, Kaplan led NAB through a decade of critical court wins, including a unanimous victory at the Supreme Court removing outdated restrictions on broadcast ownership. He also oversaw a seminal victory for the radio industry before the Copyright Royalty Board, which dramatically lowered streaming rates for broadcasters. That win paved the way for a landmark settlement in the most recent webcasting proceeding. He also successfully tackled complex regulatory and legal issues including ATSC 3.0, retransmission consent, the FCC’s broadcast spectrum incentive auction, music licensing, sponsor identification rules and reducing broadcasters’ regulatory fees by millions of dollars annually.
“In an association as diverse as ours, Rick’s ability to understand member concerns, build consensus across differently situated groups and develop creative and impactful solutions will leave an indelible mark on our industry for years to come,” said NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “His tireless advocacy — no matter how big or small the issue — has significantly benefited our members. I am deeply grateful for his 14 years of leadership, service and the talented team he has built that will ensure NAB’s success well into the future.”
“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve America’s broadcasters and be part of NAB for the past 14 years,” said Kaplan. “I’m enormously proud of what we have accomplished together, but what I will value most are the relationships I have built and the opportunity to work alongside such extraordinarily talented and dedicated colleagues.”
Effective January 1, 2027, NAB will bring its Government Relations and Legal teams together under EVP, Government Relations Shawn Donilon (left), who will serve as Chief Advocacy Officer. The combined structure will strengthen coordination between NAB’s advocacy on Capitol Hill, across the Administration and at the Federal Communications Commission, reflecting how closely congressional and regulatory decisions intersect in Washington. Kaplan and Donilon will work together to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.
“Shawn is a trusted leader and a skilled strategist who knows how to turn broadcasters’ priorities into results,” said LeGeyt. “He has earned the confidence of our members and policymakers through his ability to build support across the political spectrum. Bringing our Government Relations and Legal teams together under his leadership will strengthen NAB’s ability to shape policy in Washington and deliver for broadcasters across the country.”
