PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman at a recent LIV event.
David Cannon / Getty Images
Firebrand LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who was central to the creation of the Saudi-funded golf league and pro golf civil war two years ago, will step into his role as chief executive of the tour he helped found, according to multiple sources. reports.
SPorts Business Journal first reported that LIV Golf was expected to hire former Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Scott O’Neil for the position. Many outlets have confirmed the news.
Although Norman is expected to remain with LIV Golf in the top position, the news still represents a significant development in the race for golf’s fame.
Rory McIlroy details early Greg Norman feud
Dylan Dethier
When LIV Golf was first announced in 2021, Norman was appointed as its first manager. The league quickly faced massive backlash from the PGA Tour, its players, some fans and the media.
In the face of opposition, Norman took an aggressive stance in support of the league and publicly clashed with Tour and Tour players who opposed LIV, at one point calling the PGA Tour “an illegal diet.”
Norman’s war of words with PGA Tour legend Rory McIlroy was one of the most notable of the past two years. Both golf legends traded barbs in the press, sometimes getting personal.
In November 2022, McIlroy was asked what it would take to end the golf professional feud and bring the two sides together, the four-time major champion asked for Norman’s removal as CEO of LIV.
“I think it’s Greg [Norman] you need to go. “I think he has to go left,” said McIlroy. “You’ve made a name for yourself, but I think now is the right time to say, look, get this thing off the ground, but nobody’s going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room who can really try to mend fences.” .”
In June 2023, a Framework Agreement was announced between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, beginning something of a truce. But negotiations for a final agreement have dragged on for a long time.
O’Neil has been CEO of London-based theme park company Merlin Entertainments until 2022. O’Neil could be named CEO of LIV as early as next week, sources said. Journal of Sports Business that the agreement “has not been signed but is on the 1-yard line.”
With no final agreement in place, LIV Golf is scheduled to begin its 2025 season in Saudi Arabia in February.
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