We are in the midst of a huge moment in golf history, My Birdies. The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi-backed PIF (LIV Golf’s) have agreed to form a subsidiary, PGA Tour Enterprises, as a part of an unexpected Framework Agreement announced on June 6th. In theory, this would mark the end of the ongoing litigation between these entities, setting the stage for collaboration and advancement – finally.
To summarize, the newly formed subsidiary will be governed primarily by the PGA Tour with the aim of unifying the world of men’s professional golf and also manage the commercial assets of the golf competitions. It provides clear, explicit and permanent safeguards that ensure the PGA Tour will control the subsidiary through majority representation on its Board of Directors. Strategic and operational matters related to competition in golf will also be controlled by the PGA Tour.
In case you’re tardy to the party, here’s the scoop on the key stakeholder groups:
PGA TOUR (AKA The Big Dogs)
The long-standing, leading professional golf organization based here in the U.S. and also internationally recognized. It hosts a series of tournaments each year, featuring high-ranking players from around the world. Responsible for the promotion and regulation of the sport and its professional competitions. Known for its philanthropic work. However, the Tour has significant work to do to make the game more inclusive and accessible. (If you’ve ever met amateur players aiming to earn their players card, you’d know it’s ruthless and less supportive of player wellbeing than one would assume.)
DP World Tour
Formerly known as the European Tour, the DP World Tour is a professional golf tour for men. DP is short for Dubai Ports, the Tour’s primary sponsor. It is the second most prestigious tour after the PGA Tour, hosting events primarily in Europe but also in other parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia
The PIF is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. While not traditionally connected to golf, the PIF has been making significant investments into sports as a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy in areas like tourism and tech. The PIF stirred up a lot of controversy and mandated self-reflection as many opponents were unaware they had been enjoying sports backed by the very same civil rights issue-ridden nation they’d condemed.
LIV Golf (League International de Volvik)
LIV Golf Investments is backed by the PIF of Saudi Arabia. Short for, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour’s most notable rival in anyone’s lifetime emerged last year as an unimaginably threatening yet risky venture backed substantially by Saudi Arabia. Lil’ Wolf’s aim? To re-imagine professional golf. This, my birdies, is actually what one may call a “pet project.” You know all of those succulents you grew at the start of the pandemic, imagine your hobby choices with billions of dollars backing your pursuit of distraction from boredom and life. which has caused some friction with the PGA and DP World Tours. This proposal was seen as a potential threat to the existing structure of professional golf and I’ve loved every second if it.
Last and always least, apparently: The Players
While it promises many exciting possibilities, it also shed light on player freedom and market competition. LIV promised massive prize payouts, attempting to lure top players from across the globe. Examples: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson. The rated R for ridiculously compensation packages didn’t attract everyone LIV management hoped to convert, but certainly enough talent to make their competitions relevant to the broader golf community. If LIV was able to get their streaming life together so We, the people, could consistently tune in up to this point, the momentum would have been incredible. Regarding what’s ahead for players, I believe Rory McIlroy will be spending most of his time weeping uncontrollably with the other players who denied the invitation to join LIV golf. I peg most pro golfers as hysterical vomiters because golf is stressful and apparently, touring is taxing mentally, physically, and financially.
I’m jazzed to see how this new dynamic takes shape. My hope is that all parties involved, including us as fans, remember that it is our shared love for this beautiful game that unites us all, regardless of the changes on the horizon.
I’m still recovering from ACL surgery so I will be glued to the news on your behalf. More to come on this fascinating partnership/merger through my lens.
Until next time!
