PGA Tour and LIV Agree to Merger

[nomar]

 

[JT-55]

In my fantasy world you would have Tiger and Jack (who have both been outspoken about LIV) calling a meeting right now with the guys that have been burned by the PGA Tour so your Rory, Rahm, Scottie, Finau's etc.. and gauging the interest in breaking away into something new with the 2 greatest to play the game as spokesmen. As independent contractors these guys are not committed into any longer terms agreements with the PGA...I know with all the money being floated around and everything it would take to get a tour off the ground this would never happen but boy is all the drama fun to think about.

 

[Hunt for 7]

So Norman becomes the pawn. He is the CEO of LIV for now but for some reason Tiger is not a big fan. My guess is in the coming weeks LIV and Norman part ways. In the end LIV was hurting the PGA tour while not getting any of the viewers or interest they needed to have a somewhat successful league. I think that was the driving force one tour was getting decimated and the new tour was not looking viable. Sounds like they both wanted to live.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I accept the criticism of LIV for it's Saudi ties and backing. That is a legit issue. I also accept the criticism of the PGA for essentially not changing for 50 years. No creativity in marketing and the money wasn't what it should be. It was too stodgy and dull, despite great players, courses and personalities.

Let the guys wear shorts and have untucked shirts. Change some events to not follow the Th-Sun four round format. Find some ways to liven things up.

It isn't clear how this is going to work, so I'll reserve judgement.

 

[Ripper32]

PGA was the old boys club. Major hypocrites to boot. As if the US doesn't do horrible things on the Saudis level, but it's under-publicized.
See the Michael Hastings 'incident'.

 

[Waquoit]

Imagine how those LPGA players feel when they play their tour events in Saudi Arabia or Middle East.

Or WWE superstars. In any event, what a stunning betrayal.

 

[wingsfan055]

So much for Saudi human rights being an issue. PGA sold their soul to the devil to keep their monopoly in tact. Disgraceful on many levels. Would love to see Tiger, Rory and other big names protest and sit out events or worse.

 

[McLovin]

And it looks like the Saudis will essentially own the PGA tour too, getting the exclusive rights to accept / reject future investments of the joint venture (so they could potentially dilute current stake holders) and exclusive rights to create / establish any future tours.

Just a total embarrassment for the PGA Tour in how they got played and sold out the guys who were loyal to them.

With that said, having competing tours, potentially with some sort of “championship” type team event at the end of the season to declare 1 of the 2 tours a winner would be interesting if done properly, IMO.

But I’m also skeptical that this agreement will be finalized. If I could bet, I’d bet the PGA pulls out.

 

[wingsfan055]

Greg Norman finally won a big, event PGA Major today. LoL.

 

[ZooCougar]

@ZooCougar

PGA absorbs LIV. PGA wins.

 

[ZooCougar]

What draw?

You mean 15,000 people watching on WB?

 

[ZooCougar]

Greg Norman finally won a big, event PGA Major today. LoL.

Greg Norman snubbed from PGA and LIV Golf merge talks and left with egg on face

One name who is yet to have been mentioned in the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger is that of Greg Norman, and according to Yasir Al-Rumayyan he was only made aware just moments before the announcement

www.mirror.co.uk

Not really. No way is there a deal if third leg Greg is involved.

 

[HCCForever]

they (PGA Tour) never really cared about the Saudis
it was just an easy way to be critical of LIV and they over used it
who doesn't do business with SA? what a joke
maybe Brandel can have cry-fest with Rory

Frankly, I don't care one way or the other. I may watch golf during the majors and maybe a few other tournaments depending on the weather in my location.

Not sure why so much hate for Rory. He seems to be a man of principle.

 

[BPT2Storrs]

Money talks. People need to stop preaching that sanctimonious BS. Everyone has a price and the PGA Tour just showed that.

 

[McLovin]

PGA absorbs LIV. PGA wins.

Looks more like the Saudis will be absorbing the PGA…

 

[polycom]

PGA absorbs LIV. PGA wins.

Actually the Saudi's win and we as golf fans win but sure lol.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Guess there won't be a Brandel/Phil debate

Brandel found out he and PIF shared portfolio investments.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Looks more like the Saudis will be absorbing the PGA… View attachment 88763

I'm not sure how you're getting from what we know (PGA tour has majority ownership) to PIF is absorbing the PGA Tour. Feels a lot more like PIF gets protection against getting diluted and the right of refusal to acquire the controlling stake if for some reason this new entity desperately needs a liquidity infusion in the future.

 

[ZooCougar]

Looks more like the Saudis will be absorbing the PGA… View attachment 88763

I’ve been fishing most of the day so I haven’t sat down to read about it. But I don’t believe it.

And if you believe this and you are happy about it then you’ve got issues.

 

[ZooCougar]

Actually the Saudi's win and we as golf fans win but sure lol.

If you believe that and you are celebrating it then you must hate pro golf and your own country. Sad.

I’m not convinced.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

PGA get majority on the board.

 

[ZooCougar]

I'm not sure how you're getting from what we know (PGA tour has majority ownership) to PIF is absorbing the PGA Tour. Feels a lot more like PIF gets protection against getting diluted and the right of refusal to acquire the controlling stake if for some reason this new entity desperately needs a liquidity infusion in the future.

If they actually turned Pro Golf over to a bunch of Bedouins then they are dumber than anyone can comprehend.

 

[McLovin]

I'm not sure how you're getting from what we know (PGA tour has majority ownership) to PIF is absorbing the PGA Tour. Feels a lot more like PIF gets protection against getting diluted and the right of refusal to acquire the controlling stake if for some reason this new entity desperately needs a liquidity infusion in the future.

If they have the exclusive rights to make further investments into the new entity and refuse any future investments, whether they own a majority now or not, they are the ones in the drivers seat.

That screen shot was from an article on CBS sports. If it’s accurate, then they can just issue more equity to themselves anytime they want to become the majority stakeholder.

 

[jleves]

I don't see how Monahan keeps his job after this merger.

I'm guessing he doesn't need a job after this deal.

 

[Vuce]

My interest in watching professional golf just ended. The PGA is in league now with assassins and woman abusers.

It was before too though. They sponsor a tour in China - a little too late in ending your interest