With NAB Show New York beginning on Tuesday at the Javits Center and plenty of action in the courts, Capitol Hill and the FCC, the association representing the nation’s foremost radio and television stations is preparing for a new chapter under President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt.
At the end of 2026, the National Association of Broadcasters’ Chief Legal Officer and Executive VP of Legal and Regulatory Affairs will depart, “following more than 14 years of exceptional contributions” to the lobbying group.
In announcing Rick Kaplan‘s coming exit, without mentioning the word “retirement,” the NAB praised the legal eagle for his 14 years at the association, noting that his tenure “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Kaplan led NAB through a decade of “critical court wins,” including a unanimous victory at the Supreme Court “removing outdated restrictions on broadcast ownership.”
Kaplan also oversaw what the NAB calls “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 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.”
Kaplan commented, “It has been a tremendous privilege to serve America’s broadcasters and be part of NAB for the past 14 years. I am 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.”
DONILON TO OVERSEE RESTRUCTURED TEAM
Effective January 1, 2027, NAB will bring its Government Relations and Legal teams together.
This will see Executive VP of Government Relations Shawn Donilon take the role of Chief Advocacy Officer. He’s been associated with the NAB since March 2013.
Explaining the change, the NAB said, “The combined structure will strengthen coordination between NAB’s advocacy on Capitol Hill, across the [Trump] Administration and at the Federal Communications Commission, reflecting how closely congressional and regulatory decisions intersect in Washington.”
The NAB added that Kaplan and Donilon will work together “to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.”
LeGeyt said, “Shawn is a trusted leader and a skilled strategist who knows how to turn broadcasters’ priorities into results. 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.”
The timing of the news that Kaplan is departing at the end of 2026 comes as the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a signature legislative desire of the NAB under LeGeyt, continues to languish without a pending U.S. Senate vote. The bill passed the House on September 15; a Senate yay or nay on the Act is now in question ahead of Election Day.
