LIV Golf

[Mel Smooth]

Liv Golf reportedly in talks with TNT over a TV Network deal. (sorry if this has already been mentioned)

As nice as free You Tube viewing is they need to get a proper TV contract for more credibility.

This is stemming from LIV working with CAA who are now representing LIV for their media rights and sponsorship deals.
CAA also work with the PGAT, plus many other sports and sports teams.

It brings the people that fund the tours closer together, whether that means there is a resolution to the split in the mens game remains to be seen - at the moment that split appears to be being maintained by a few members of the PGAT board.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Only issue with TNT is that it is a paid subscription service. Doubt many will have TNT as a normal service via their UK package

Beleive it’s TNT sports in the US as a broadcaster- not sure how it works with the TNT sports we have in the UK

 

[Mel Smooth]

1st 4 events of 2025 confirmed - opening round is in Saudi at Riyadh, which takes over from Royal Greens KSA, then the our has a very much Australasian swing feel to it.

Expect to see fewer events in the US this next year.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1831176428626366635

 

[Bucktaylor64]

JCB will again host an event! I'd love to see Turnberry get one!

 

[Fore Right]

Im more interested to see if there isnt an agreement before the end of Jan whether Liv are going to try and swipe another major PGA Tour player/players

Gotta think Xander who has been linked in the past is a prime target now he has a 5 year major exemption.

Really hope an agreement is found though because I have found myself losing interest in both the PGA Tour and Liv Golf in the latter part of the season.
Didnt watch any of the Fed Ex Playoffs or Liv Greenbrier

 

[Mel Smooth]

Im more interested to see if there isnt an agreement before the end of Jan whether Liv are going to try and swipe another major PGA Tour player/players

Gotta think Xander who has been linked in the past is a prime target now he has a 5 year major exemption.

Really hope an agreement is found though because I have found myself losing interest in both the PGA Tour and Liv Golf in the latter part of the season.
Didnt watch any of the Fed Ex Playoffs or Liv Greenbrier

There are people out there suggesting LIV will move to 14 teams this next year - if that's the case, given there are still 2 non equity captains - you'd have think there may well be some big money moves on the table.

I'd imagine the PIF still want a merger agreement in place as soon as possible - but I suspect we'll see parties from both sides start to force the issue due to the lack of progress being made.

 

[Bucktaylor64]

There are people out there suggesting LIV will move to 14 teams this next year - if that's the case, given there are still 2 non equity captains - you'd have think there may well be some big money moves on the table.

I'd imagine the PIF still want a merger agreement in place as soon as possible - but I suspect we'll see parties from both sides start to force the issue due to the lack of progress being made.

I don't think there will be a merger as such! I do think we will see cross over events! As to who will join Liv? Hovland and Matsuyama are possibles.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I don't think there will be a merger as such! I do think we will see cross over events! As to who will join Liv? Hovland and Matsuyama are possibles.

It's interesting that LIV have stated that team captains don't have immunity from relegation this year. There's only one that is realistically going to be affected by that - and that's Bubba. I listedned to the 1st part of the Fairway to Heaven podcast last night, and as with other interviews, he alludes that he might be ready to step back from a playing captains roll anyway, and get more involved with running the team and helping it's expansion. Whether we'd see another one of the Rangegoats take his place as captain, or whether there'd be a replacement from outside the league, I'm not sure - but it does mean an extra place is available on top of the others that will be created through the relegation zone.

As far as the merger is concerned - no, you aren't going to see the tours united as one - and I don't think anybody want's that - indeed, that was made clear by Yassir on June 6th last year. It will be more of a financial agreement that sees players able to cross over from different tours to LIV, and vice versa.

 

[3 jabber]

It's interesting that LIV have stated that team captains don't have immunity from relegation this year. There's only one that is realistically going to be affected by that - and that's Bubba. I listedned to the 1st part of the Fairway to Heaven podcast last night, and as with other interviews, he alludes that he might be ready to step back from a playing captains roll anyway, and get more involved with running the team and helping it's expansion. Whether we'd see another one of the Rangegoats take his place as captain, or whether there'd be a replacement from outside the league, I'm not sure - but it does mean an extra place is available on top of the others that will be created through the relegation zone.

As far as the merger is concerned - no, you aren't going to see the tours united as one - and I don't think anybody want's that - indeed, that was made clear by Yassir on June 6th last year. It will be more of a financial agreement that sees players able to cross over from different tours to LIV, and vice versa.

How can Bubba expand his team?

 

[Mel Smooth]

How can Bubba expand his team?

I meant the expansion of the team logistically and financially, perhaps growth would be a better term.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1835578737909170437

Not great when the last event passes by without very little notice

https://twitter.com/x/status/1835553875488571457

 

[Beezerk]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1835578737909170437

Not great when the last event passes by without very little notice

https://twitter.com/x/status/1835553875488571457

So a bit like when the wider sporting world never batted an eyelid when Sheffler won the Fed Ex

 

[Arthur Wedge]

So a bit like when the wider sporting world never batted an eyelid when Sheffler won the Fed Ex

Suspect that’s also the case and prob highlights the issue with tour golf overall - many aren’t bothering imo

 

[Mel Smooth]

No wonder Ben Coley thinks nobody is taking any notice of LIV - he blocks anybody that supports it. He's metaphorically got his fingers in his ears, staring at the corner of the room shouting 'La la - la la la' to block it out.


If you want balanced golf opinions across the tours, he absolutely is not your man.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

So a bit like when the wider sporting world never batted an eyelid when Sheffler won the Fed Ex

Suspect that’s also the case and prob highlights the issue with tour golf overall - many aren’t bothering imo

I think the prize money in those two events is just offensively high and it has helped turn people off. Viewers aren't stupid, we know when something is all about the money and whilst, clearly, it is a professional game, the sums for those are just a bit too eye watering.

The game needs to come back together, calm down and have a reset.

 

[Slab]

I think the prize money in those two events is just offensively high and it has helped turn people off. Viewers aren't stupid, we know when something is all about the money and whilst, clearly, it is a professional game, the sums for those are just a bit too eye watering.

The game needs to come back together, calm down and have a reset.

Its boggling numbers I can’t imagine, although a quick google of NFL, NBA, MLB shows their top earners are all on way way more than PGAT or LIV (& most of them are salaried, so not counting winnings)

Crazy money but golf is still playing catch-up

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I think the prize money in those two events is just offensively high and it has helped turn people off. Viewers aren't stupid, we know when something is all about the money and whilst, clearly, it is a professional game, the sums for those are just a bit too eye watering.

The game needs to come back together, calm down and have a reset.

It’s madness

And it’s stupid money , it’s also unsustainable level of money as well

Sport is a mess and it’s reflected by the viewing numbers of the events now

 

[Beezerk]

And it’s stupid money , it’s also unsustainable level of money as well

For the PGA maybe but I’d suspect it’s a drop in the ocean for Saudi backed LIV.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

For the PGA maybe but I’d suspect it’s a drop in the ocean for Saudi backed LIV.

It is but it needs them to support it - the tour can’t sustain without Saudi financially standing it up

Other tours rely on the sponsers and media rights etc

I don’t expect any tour can sustain the level of money on LIV without state funds

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The Fed Ex prize has been obscene for years but it simply gets bigger year on year with no sign of stopping. It won't while the money is coming in but what happens if we get another global crisis like Covid.