LIV Tour Discussion Thread (*** NO POLITICS ***)

[woahnelly]

11 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Why do you think they need to lock in PIF?  With Fenway Sports/SSG now serving as their domestic version of PIF, I don't really see the urgency.  Also, it will be interesting to hear what Papa PIF has to say about Jay's bed hopping.  It wouldn't surprise me if calls the bet and doubles down.  Multi billionaires don't take kindly to being one-upped.

 

 

 

PIF wields the mightiest sword in this fight. If the PGA can get them to invest a minority stake while the players control the board that is a major W. The chess match is far from over. 

[fixyurdivot]

4 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

If they don’t the pga tour will lose at least one top 10 player a year. Maybe a top 5. Maybe PIF goes nuclear and spends 2 billion in bonuses in one year and pulls 3 top 10 guys. 
 

It looks like Rory already has a foot out the door! 🤣

I see it the opposite in that the infusion of BIG $$$ and player ownership puts a plug in that hole.  But if Papa PIF does double down things could get even more looney.

 

Yea, the Rory to LIV speculation is too funny but the way this whole storyline has been progressing would not surprise me.  Of course were he to go, he'd have his own team and that would increase the odds of some top shelf players heading to LIV to join him.

 

Professional golf is officially up for sale to the highest bidder.

[fixyurdivot]

7 minutes ago, woahnelly said:

 

PIF wields the mightiest sword in this fight. If the PGA can get them to invest a minority stake while the players control the board that is a major W. The chess match is far from over. 

That's exactly why I don't see that happening.  

[dalehead]

8 hours ago, aus10KC said:

Timing of this announcement is important... Likely done to take attention away from LIV start of the season.

I don’t think that strategy will work. The excitement over the start of the LIV season is palpable.

[bekgolf]

41 minutes ago, bscinstnct said:

 

If they don’t the pga tour will lose at least one top 10 player a year. Maybe a top 5. Maybe PIF goes nuclear and spends 2 billion in bonuses in one year and pulls 3 top 10 guys. 
 

It looks like Rory already has a foot out the door! 🤣

 

There is no way I'd give in to them, if they destroy professional golf they do, we have no say in the matter.

[idrive]

Here comes Greg. 🤣 Reading this, he sounds like "Nervous Norman" This is all going to backfire in his face.

 

 LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman's message to his entire staff in relation to the news of the Strategic Sports Group's $3 billion investment in the PGA Tour to create a new for-profit entity was simple: onward.

In a letter obtained by Golfweek sent just days before the start of the 2024 LIV Golf League season at Mayakoba's El Camaleon Golf Course in Mexico, Norman wrote to his staff to not just hype up LIV Golf's third official season, but to also downplay any negative impact the SSG investment may have on LIV's future.

An excerpt from the letter:

As you may have seen, the PGA Tour made an announcement this morning about an investment partner. Let me make one thing very clear: nothing announced by other tours or investment groups changes LIV Golf’s positive trajectory or future plans.

We started LIV Golf with the goal of creating something new, taking the game to a global, diverse audience and driving innovation while growing golf’s fanbase. More investment in golf is a great thing for the game and for us. It’s a positive development for our players, our fans, and for the long-term future of the game.

Golf is now viewed as an asset class. We proved this was possible and are now in a unique position to mold and drive this incredible growth opportunity. This broader interest and commitment to the game, and investment in its future, would not have happened without the emergence of LIV Golf as an innovative force in the golf ecosystem.

Norman said the league was "moving full steam ahead" into 2024 and beyond and that he has "never been more confident in the league, the people involved, and our supporters all over the world."

Just seven months ago the Tour announced a framework agreement with the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to create what we now know today as PGA Tour Enterprises. The Tour confirmed in a release on Wednesday that progress has been made in ongoing negotiations with the PIF, LIV Golf's financial backers, on a potential future investment. That same release also stated that PGA Tour Enterprises allows for a co-investment from the PIF in the future, “subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.”

 

2 hours ago, bscinstnct said:

 

There’s an inflection point 

 

many, including myself, will put on liv them shut it off in a few minutes 

 

But, if one Sunday I put it on and it’s Rahm, BK, Cam, BD and DJ all playing good golf and hunting the lead

 

I just might leave it on

 

Just being candid 

 

But are you going to take it serious?  Like it actually means something or is it just about seeing these guys hitting shots as fast as they can show them.  

 

And lets not forget about how important these teams are and all the strategy coming down the stretch... 🤣

 

😉

 

[Holy Moses]

1 hour ago, bscinstnct said:

 

If they don’t the pga tour will lose at least one top 10 player a year. Maybe a top 5. Maybe PIF goes nuclear and spends 2 billion in bonuses in one year and pulls 3 top 10 guys. 
 

It looks like Rory already has a foot out the door! 🤣

How do we know Brooks and others aren’t coming back to the PGA Tour when their deals are done? 

[jimecherry]

2 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

How do we know Brooks and others aren’t coming back to the PGA Tour when their deals are done? 

wrx doesnt want them back and their games will be in such crappy shape due to playing exhibition 54 hole golf ;}

[golfheaven69]

Whatever happens they will always be junk. Rich junk but junk. 

[Titleist99]

3 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Looks like Jay found his sugar-daddy in Fenway/Strategic Sports Group. A $3B raise at the professsional golf poker table.  So now it's PGA Tour Enterprises.  It's still unclear how they are now a "for profit" business while still being a "non-profit" business?  And Rory now saying all defectors should be welcomed back with no penalty and that money is not the solution for the greed in professional golf.  This storyline remains a masters course in schizophrenia 🙃

Moral of the story:

Never doubt Jay Monahan

Never pay attention to Rory

 

~The End.

 

*In all seriousness though, the PGAT wants their other sugar daddy which is the PIF. Once the DOJ gives the ok for the Saudis to invest in PGAT Enterprises all will be right with the world of golf. IMO

 

Again, nobody finds revenue for his members like Jay Mohahan 😆

 

*Also keep in mind that SSG was only one of many that wanted to invest in the PGAT Enterprises......stay tuned.

Edited February 1 by Titleist99

[manku]

https://nypost.com/2024/01/31/sports/liv-golf-botches-name-of-new-star-jon-rahm-in-graphic/

 

Heads will roll...literally!

[Holy Moses]

1 minute ago, manku said:

https://nypost.com/2024/01/31/sports/liv-golf-botches-name-of-new-star-jon-rahm-in-graphic/

 

Heads will roll...literally!

They spelled his name wrong right after signing Rahm too in November 

[jimecherry]

8 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

They spelled his name wrong right after signing Rahm too in November 

you think thats bad this is what tyrrel hatton, the number 16th player in the world, looks like on their website

Edited February 1 by jimecherry

[Hawkeye77]

11 minutes ago, Holy Moses said:

They spelled his name wrong right after signing Rahm too in November 

Spell it right on the wire transfers!

 

R-i-y-a-l!

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

4 minutes ago, jimecherry said:

you think thats bad this is what tyrrel hatton, the number 16th player in the world, looks like on their website

Colin Montgomerie?

[JungleJimbo]

 

[stinger_gc]

5 hours ago, kiwigolf72 said:

LOL Rory getting ready to defend his move to LIV.

If Rory jumps the PGA Tour is dead 😂.

[Hawkeye77]

8 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

 

Money overrides good taste in clothing. 

[bcjim]

12 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

 

Those dudes are all speculating on what punishments Jon will be issue for poor play as Rahm rants about the non-flatness of his PIF supplies team cap bills.

[idrive]

2 hours ago, woahnelly said:

 

PIF wields the mightiest sword in this fight. If the PGA can get them to invest a minority stake while the players control the board that is a major W. The chess match is far from over. 

 

So did Goliath. 👍

[Ghost of Snead]

29 minutes ago, JungleJimbo said:

 

 

Nice colors - the Good & Plenty team

[idrive]

3 minutes ago, Ghost of Snead said:

 

Nice colors - the Good & Plenty team

 

Glad I didn't have my mouth full when I read that. My laptop would need cleaning.  👏

 

On a serious note...  what is the logo a pic of?

[woahnelly]

6 minutes ago, idrive said:

 

Glad I didn't have my mouth full when I read that. My laptop would need cleaning.  👏

 

On a serious note...  what is the logo a pic of?

 

[Ghost of Snead]

6 minutes ago, idrive said:

 

Glad I didn't have my mouth full when I read that. My laptop would need cleaning.  👏

 

On a serious note...  what is the logo a pic of?

 

No idea ... could be a gargoyle, a mutated virus or a bottle opener. Subject to interpretation ...

[Titleist99]

6 minutes ago, idrive said:

 

Glad I didn't have my mouth full when I read that. My laptop would need cleaning.  👏

 

On a serious note...  what is the logo a pic of?

The logo is a lion that look exactly like some existing logos, they will be sued.🙂

[bekgolf]

7 minutes ago, idrive said:

 

Glad I didn't have my mouth full when I read that. My laptop would need cleaning.  👏

 

On a serious note...  what is the logo a pic of?

 

Red dragon of Mt. Pilatus?

[Titleist99]

1 minute ago, bekgolf said:

 

Red dragon of Mt. Pilatus?

Nope, they stole that lion logo from another company.  allegedly

[PedronNiall]

1 hour ago, idrive said:

Here comes Greg. 🤣 Reading this, he sounds like "Nervous Norman" This is all going to backfire in his face.

 

 LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman's message to his entire staff in relation to the news of the Strategic Sports Group's $3 billion investment in the PGA Tour to create a new for-profit entity was simple: onward.

In a letter obtained by Golfweek sent just days before the start of the 2024 LIV Golf League season at Mayakoba's El Camaleon Golf Course in Mexico, Norman wrote to his staff to not just hype up LIV Golf's third official season, but to also downplay any negative impact the SSG investment may have on LIV's future.

An excerpt from the letter:

As you may have seen, the PGA Tour made an announcement this morning about an investment partner. Let me make one thing very clear: nothing announced by other tours or investment groups changes LIV Golf’s positive trajectory or future plans.

We started LIV Golf with the goal of creating something new, taking the game to a global, diverse audience and driving innovation while growing golf’s fanbase. More investment in golf is a great thing for the game and for us. It’s a positive development for our players, our fans, and for the long-term future of the game.

Golf is now viewed as an asset class. We proved this was possible and are now in a unique position to mold and drive this incredible growth opportunity. This broader interest and commitment to the game, and investment in its future, would not have happened without the emergence of LIV Golf as an innovative force in the golf ecosystem.

Norman said the league was "moving full steam ahead" into 2024 and beyond and that he has "never been more confident in the league, the people involved, and our supporters all over the world."

Just seven months ago the Tour announced a framework agreement with the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to create what we now know today as PGA Tour Enterprises. The Tour confirmed in a release on Wednesday that progress has been made in ongoing negotiations with the PIF, LIV Golf's financial backers, on a potential future investment. That same release also stated that PGA Tour Enterprises allows for a co-investment from the PIF in the future, “subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.”

 

 

But are you going to take it serious?  Like it actually means something or is it just about seeing these guys hitting shots as fast as they can show them.  

 

And lets not forget about how important these teams are and all the strategy coming down the stretch... 🤣

 

😉

 

Golf as an "asset class" destroys any trace of credibility he had regarding LIV building new traditions for a global golf audience. I also remain curious how a league that always plays 54-hole team events tries to use the word innovative when referring to itself. It was weak as a product on launch and remains weak now no matter how many names they sign.

 

If they do empty the entire PGA of the top 150 players they'll all become unknowns because no one will be watching them, and new players will emerge to take their spots because LIV confers almost nothing in terms of golf rankings. No audience, no prestige, no momentum. All that money is going to get old quickly when players have to look themselves in the mirror every day knowing they sold out all of who they claimed to be their entire lives. LIV will eat itself in the end regardless of what the final structure of the deal turns out to look like.

[Sharpee]

Nice curve ball by the PGA.  I'm glad to see American money step up and take the lead.  If you see the owners list, they could pump billions more in as well, neutralizing the Saudi money advantage.  Hopefully now they can align and stop screwing up golf.  Everyone's making lots of money...put that aside and focus on the competition 

Edited February 1 by Sharpee

[GG43]

Here is my take on all of this stuff. 

 

1.  For the last x # of years, PGA Tour is fat, dumb and happy (or maybe unhappy).  Not innovating, living in the past, bad TV product, etc.

 

2.  Saudi Arabia is changing.  Their economy is being diversified and they are trying to become a global power in terms of sports / cultural / political influence to match the importance of their hydrocarbon-driven economy

 

3.  Having invested in soccer, etc, Saudis decide to get into the golf game.  They have cash burning a hole in their pockets. The PIF is an irrational actor from an economic standpoint because they are investing in something beyond sports when they makes these sports deals

 

4.  They approach PGA to discuss an investment in the PGA, make the game more global, yada, yada.  PGA says go "pound sand," no pun intended.   

 

5.  Frustrated at the cold shoulder, they hire Greg Norman to create a league.  They throw incredible money at golfers who: are reaching the end of their careers, recognize a once in a lifetime shot at guaranteed life-changing money, have attractive wives with high burn rates, are young and talented but simply frustrated with the PGA Tour, or a combination thereof 

 

6.  League launches, the golf product is awful, but they continue to drain talent from the Tour because they are offering incredible, off-market contracts.  LIV isn't going anywhere anytime soon because it will be propped up by its PIF sponsor

 

7.  Tour realizes the Saudis aren't going anywhere, talent will continue to be siphoned off, golf is not united.  PGA decides they need to cut a deal (June 6 temporary "truce") so air doesn't continue to leak out of the PGA Tour balloon

 

8.  PGA doesn't have the capability or capital to negotiate a deal and brings in SSG so they have new capital and smart people in the room to negotiate a final deal with the PIF.  This has the added benefit of ensuring the PIF a minority investor. The governance issues will be the most difficult part to sort out as the Saudis don't want to sit at the kiddie table at board meetings