PGA Tour implementing lucrative new bonus structure to reward the "needle movers"

[bscinstnct]

57 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

I don’t know man. I think google and YouTube are sending us what they want us to read/hear.  It’s certainly not all aligning with my searches or subscriptions .  That’s all I can say on that I think. 

 

They messin with your mind, blade!

 

Before you know it, you be wearin

 

Joggers! 
 

🤣🤣

[ctmason_98]

5 hours ago, tungstenplug said:

The whole "Athletes are more than just athletes!" campaign is lost on me. (That was started by the NBA, how are their ratings doing this year 😂).

 

Athletes have been more than athletes for time immemorial. Just because there are different outlets now doesn't make it fundamentally different. And "it was started by the NBA?" Please. 

 

By the way ratings for the NBA are about where they were in 2006 -- and the games are on a few more networks now than they were then.  They move up and down. Anyone suggesting that there's this huge group of people who protest the political and social activism (I can't think of a better word at the moment) of players and teams has led to some mass exodus....it just isn't true. 

 

But it fits the narrative people want, so what the heck....just keep repeating it. 

[naval2006]

Ricky’s won a major at last

[Soloman1]

4 hours ago, JaNelson38 said:

 

The PGA Tour is not like other professional sports.  Its not made up of franchises who form a league.  It doesn't have competitors who are unionized...every player on the PGA Tour is an independent contractor.  Other than to play a certain amount of events to keep your membership card, there is no set rules or regulations for its competitors to play or not play - players are free to come and go as they please and set a schedule they want.  To compare it to MLB or NFL is just like apples to oranges, unless you expect every tournament to become a for-profit entity on its own - which will certainly mean that no less than a third of the current schedule would be eliminated tomorrow.

 

 

What, so you're saying if the PGA Tour ditched a tax-exempt status and made each tournament be for-profit and pay taxes just like NFL franchises, that suddenly it would be okay?  Come on.  Unless you think big tournaments like the Memorial will pitch in a few bucks to the John Deere Classic and make it solvent through revenue sharing just like the other professional franchise sports do.

 

I could care less about the "headquarters" cost.  The NFL and MLB headquarters are on Park Avenue, which isn't exactly cheap real estate.  The NBA is on 5th Avenue.   I'd be willing to bet all three of those office spaces are well over $65 million each.

 

 

Don't get me started on the team sports ripoff of public funds.

 

Golf is more like tennis than team sports. I never compared golf to team sports. You took that leap on your own.

And I never said individual tournaments should be non-profit. Again, you took that leap. Of course they could be non-profit. The tournament name sponsors contribute the purse, not the PGA Tour. Concessions and admission supply the rest. Volunteers run the show.

 

The PGA Tour itself has no business being a non-profit..

There has never been a truly transparent audit or exposure of the PGA Tour financials. Never. The auditor is a PGA Tour "marketing partner."

 

We do know that the PGA Tour contributed only 7.5% of its non-taxed income to charity.

The worst ranked charities in the world contribute 10%.

No one knows where the billions-per-year go. The retirement fund could be billions.

The Tour has an estimated $1 billion+ in tax free investments. We can only say estimated because only the Tour knows.

 

Oh, and I heard the new HQ cost is now north of $100 million.

 

Perhaps you might be able to tell us where the money goes? You write like someone with a vested interest in protecting the tour . . . 😉

 

 

Edited April 21, 2021 by Soloman1

[bladehunter]

3 hours ago, tatertot said:

Google and YouTube are sending you ALOT of what people are paying them to.

True.  For sure. 

[MtlJeff]

1 hour ago, ctmason_98 said:

 

Athletes have been more than athletes for time immemorial. Just because there are different outlets now doesn't make it fundamentally different. And "it was started by the NBA?" Please. 

 

By the way ratings for the NBA are about where they were in 2006 -- and the games are on a few more networks now than they were then.  They move up and down. Anyone suggesting that there's this huge group of people who protest the political and social activism (I can't think of a better word at the moment) of players and teams has led to some mass exodus....it just isn't true. 

 

But it fits the narrative people want, so what the heck....just keep repeating it. 

 

The NBA sucked from 1998 through 2007. That's a bad era to compare to lol. Post Jordan and peak hand check rules. Not to mention the best player was a humanoid robot named Tim Duncan whose face only had 2 settings: absolute emotionless, and eyes wide open to contest a foul call. 

 

If the NBA ratings are what they were in 2006 that's bad!

 

FWIW I think it has way more to do with player movement than any political shenanigans. Most fans can't remember who is on any of the teams anymore

[NJBigFish22]

Haven’t read every post, but here’s my take.  If the players can get the PGA to fork over easy cash, more power to them.  Really if you allowed sponsors to pay appearance fees the players would probably make more money and some of the lesser tournaments would get bigger names.  So which golfer becomes Anna Kornikova?

[bladehunter]

2 hours ago, bscinstnct said:

 

They messin with your mind, blade!

 

Before you know it, you be wearin

 

Joggers! 
 

🤣🤣

Lol.   Yea.  Duck!!!!  Low flying pigs 🐷 coming through ! 

[bladehunter]

1 hour ago, MtlJeff said:

 

The NBA sucked from 1998 through 2007. That's a bad era to compare to lol. Post Jordan and peak hand check rules. Not to mention the best player was a humanoid robot named Tim Duncan whose face only had 2 settings: absolute emotionless, and eyes wide open to contest a foul call. 

 

If the NBA ratings are what they were in 2006 that's bad!

 

FWIW I think it has way more to do with player movement than any political shenanigans. Most fans can't remember who is on any of the teams anymore

Yep. That’s when they lost me.  About 2005.    And to your point. Recently I asked my kid “ which team is Lebron on now “.  I honestly couldn’t recall if he had stayed with the lakers or went back to Miami or Cleveland.  I tried to watch a game or two this past season and haven’t made it through a full quarter yet.  

Edited April 22, 2021 by bladehunter

[bscinstnct]

23 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

Lol.   Yea.  Duck!!!!  Low flying pigs 🐷 coming through ! 

 

Problem with joggers is they sweatpants but like $80

 

Wife got me some, nice, she like “wear your joggers” “wear your joggers” but I’m not wearing sweatpants to dinner no matter how nice they are and they’re too expensive to wear to work out and hang out in! I’m not gonna be some fashion doofus wearin joggers to go to get my morning coffee. 

 

I got me trusty $20 Gap sweats with bleach stains for that. 

Maybe brunch good for joggers. Actually, haven’t got brunch in a while. Eggs Benedict but with smoked salmon instead of ham! I’ll try them for that but I bet I spill hollandaise sauce on them! But then, they just be messed up sweats and I can hang out in them. There you go. 

 

Thanks for talkin me through this, blade ; )

 

[Quasimoto]

I have watched a lot of PGA and LPGA golf over the past 30 years and really enjoyed it.

If this proves to turn the tour into a popularity contest circus then I will abandon the tv golf just as I have stopped watching every other sport except F1 ocassionally.

I am very suspicious of the criteria listed for these financial rewards. It smacks of the tour looking for several players to promote at the expense of other players.

[oikos1]

36 minutes ago, bladehunter said:

Yep. That’s when they lost me.  About 2005.    And to your point. Recently I asked my kid “ which team is Lebron on now “.  I honestly couldn’t recall if he had stayed with the lakers or went back to Miami or Cleveland.  I tried to watch a game or two this past season and haven’t made it through a full quarter yet.  

I stopped following the NBA when I stopped playing.  Could only pretend to be Bird with the fade away jumper falling into the bush next to the garage for so long.  Dr. J, Kareem, Magic, Jordan, The Ice Man.  Posters on the wall.  Converse high tops. 

 

I would imagine for most of us, the sports years we connect with the most were also the years of our youth and into young adulthood.  Perhaps that will change if/when the grand kids come along.

 

As for all of this rewarding golfer self promotion, and as someone who is now closer to the end than the beginning, I just want to watch good golf.  I suppose the PGA Tour is just trying to connect with the "yutes" so more power to 'em.  Something tells me the PGA Tour will probably struggle with it.

[KAndyMan]

Prime example of ethical fading 

This is wrong on every conceivable level its almost impossible to see it from their point of view. The fact “leaders” of the PGA even allow this is embarrassing. 

 

This is EXACTLY how you alienate your loyal following which drives your annual revenue....

 

I would guess at least 3/4 of the guys on tour have good morals and couldnt actually accept the cash for themselves.  

Whats Tiger going to do with an extra $5-8mil??? I dont know his current net worth but id guess thats like someone making $100k/year getting a $200 bonus.

[bladehunter]

25 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

Problem with joggers is they sweatpants but like $80

 

Wife got me some, nice, she like “wear your joggers” “wear your joggers” but I’m not wearing sweatpants to dinner no matter how nice they are and they’re too expensive to wear to work out and hang out in! I’m not gonna be some fashion doofus wearin joggers to go to get my morning coffee. 

 

I got me trusty $20 Gap sweats with bleach stains for that. 

Maybe brunch good for joggers. Actually, haven’t got brunch in a while. Eggs Benedict but with smoked salmon instead of ham! I’ll try them for that but I bet I spill hollandaise sauce on them! But then, they just be messed up sweats and I can hang out in them. There you go. 

 

Thanks for talkin me through this, blade ; )

 

Lol.  I’m right there with ya. I type this wearing a pair of under armour  $80 joggers with a chicken wing stain on the leg.  Comfortable. But I’ve never worn them out in public.   Wife bought them for me one year.  And I almost immediately dropped sauce on the leg. 😂.  Now I wear them on cold evenings to walk the dog , or take out the trash.  Lifestyles of the rich and famous  !  

[OBbogey5]

Just watched some players commenting on Golf Central. Got me laughing. Kevin Strelman - gimme more!

 

‘We finally get to see some

of these guys’ personalities...’

 

1. What personalities?! NONE of these guys will risk losing them pennies by putting themselves out there.

 

2. If this is what it takes for them show off those personalities, then no thanks. Force much..?
 

 

[aenemated]

 

 

Max Homa rules. 

 

[Soloman1]

35 minutes ago, KAndyMan said:

Prime example of ethical fading 
 

 

I haven't heard that term before, but it is apropos. Thanks.

[Holy Moses]

I’ve been saying for years that the PGA Tour would kill the PGL by doing this. It was poo pooed, but with the new TV deal the Tour has in place they have the money to reward the big names. If the PGL wants to have a shot, they need to cough up an extra $100 million a year.

[getitdaily]

Horschel spilled the beans on what this is...

 

"A way to honor tiger woods"

 

The player's council wanted a way to honor the guys who drive tour revenue. I guess "the good of the game " is just completely lost on those guys. Seems the player's council needs an overhaul. 

 

Doesn't surprise me that horschel had a hand in this.

[BombinJim]

This could spiral out of control. Every post win interview will be a Bryson-like ad campaign.

[mocokid]

On 4/20/2021 at 2:09 PM, 596 said:

Another way for the PGA to pay more millions to millionaires.  They should donate that money to charities not to millionaires.

It's kinda like participation trophies for little leaguers, who are millionaires. 

[Naptime]

Sponsorships are how popularity is usually (and handsomely) rewarded.  I would be wary that something run by the tour itself would be endlessly lobbied and gamed.

 

TW is the needle, but clearly doesn't seem to need the $$$.  He is the one guy who can raise the attendance and profile of any event just by playing in it.  A mini tour Greater Metro Bumville Classic would  be televised if TW was playing.  So just give him the $8M first prize and the rest of them can fight over the remains.

[5 O'Clock Charlie]

On 4/20/2021 at 1:38 PM, DFS PFD said:

Rickie Fowler must be ecstatic about removing the golf from golf. More commercials inbound 

The commercial's only continue when your play is elevated. They may be thinking about shooting additional clips down the road the way he is playing and spiraling down the OWGR.

[Hawkeye77]

These social media darlings should have to wear a large logo on the back of their shirts the next year that says, “I AM the Tour”.

[Scotty1140]

6 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

These social media darlings should have to wear a large logo on the back of their shirts the next year that says, “I AM the Tour”.

 

I want to hear "I AM the Tour" in their best Walter White voice.

[bscinstnct]

1 hour ago, Holy Moses said:

I’ve been saying for years that the PGA Tour would kill the PGL by doing this. It was poo pooed, but with the new TV deal the Tour has in place they have the money to reward the big names. If the PGL wants to have a shot, they need to cough up an extra $100 million a year.

 

Good call!

 

I bet Chuck in accounting thought of this

 

And got no credit for the idea. 

[Hawkeye77]

3 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

Good call!

 

I bet Chuck in accounting thought of this

 

And got no credit for the idea. 

He’s going to get the blame!

Edited April 22, 2021 by Hawkeye77

[tiderider]

20 hours ago, john myrbch said:

The irony of this is the whole thing is tailor made to line the pockets of a player like  Bryson. He’s going to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of it because of all the people who dislike him.

Funny how that works, huh?

i mean, this opens up all possibilities ... "pga tour player established himself as porn star" ... some guy who struggles to keep his card now has a guaranteed $1 million each year ... bad mustache and all ... 

[BlackDiamondPar5]

10 minutes ago, tiderider said:

i mean, this opens up all possibilities ... "pga tour player established himself as porn star" ... some guy who struggles to keep his card now has a guaranteed $1 million each year ... bad mustache and all ... 

That may be the funniest post of the month 🤣

[JaNelson38]

13 hours ago, Soloman1 said:

 

 

Don't get me started on the team sports ripoff of public funds.

 

Golf is more like tennis than team sports. I never compared golf to team sports. You took that leap on your own.

And I never said individual tournaments should be non-profit. Again, you took that leap. Of course they could be non-profit. The tournament name sponsors contribute the purse, not the PGA Tour. Concessions and admission supply the rest. Volunteers run the show.

 

The PGA Tour itself has no business being a non-profit..

There has never been a truly transparent audit or exposure of the PGA Tour financials. Never. The auditor is a PGA Tour "marketing partner."

 

We do know that the PGA Tour contributed only 7.5% of its non-taxed income to charity.

The worst ranked charities in the world contribute 10%.

No one knows where the billions-per-year go. The retirement fund could be billions.

The Tour has an estimated $1 billion+ in tax free investments. We can only say estimated because only the Tour knows.

 

Oh, and I heard the new HQ cost is now north of $100 million.

 

Perhaps you might be able to tell us where the money goes? You write like someone with a vested interest in protecting the tour . . . 😉

 

 

 

Nobody forces any golfer to play on the PGA Tour.  Nobody forces anyone to organize a tournament for the PGA Tour.  There are plenty of golf tours out there, plenty of other events sanctioned by other entities, plenty of other avenues to play golf.  There's a reason why players aspire to be on the PGA Tour, why sponsors aspire to put together tournaments that are affiliated with the PGA Tour, and we all know that reason - money.  For all entities involved.  For the Tour.  For its sponsors.  For the host course.  For the players - Sung Kang pocketed north of $15k for finishing last at the RBC Heritage last week.

 

I could honestly care less where the "billions per year" that the PGA Tour supposedly has goes.  "There has never been a truly transparent audit or exposure of the PGA Tour financials"?  So what.  Its none of my business.  Nor yours.  No different that what Augusta National does with the money they collect for The Masters, or what the R&A collects for The Open, or what the European Tour collects for its tour, etc.  The people that seem to be the most 'upset' about this whole situation seem to be journalists who are wanting to write a story or fans who roll out the old tried-and-true "but theyre already millionaires, how much more do they need???" line....but yet when you listen to many of the players who have been asked about this, and the reaction is pretty much the same - indifferent.  I forget the golfer (Billy Horschel?) who said something to the effect of, "Well, if I make more birdies and win more golf tournaments, the rest will take care of itself".