HONOLULU – It didn’t take long for the news to spread at the Sony Open Hawaii that DP World Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley had announced he would be leaving the circuit, after eight and a quarter years, to join Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. This is the parent company to the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors as well as to the city’s MLS and Canadian Football League teams.
Pelley was at the DP World Tour from 2015 and came from Rogers Media where he managed the ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays. Pelley, who had never worked in golf before, brought a new perspective to his job. He was not afraid to break away from long-held tradition and step outside of perceived boundaries.
What about music and fireworks on the first hole? Did it. Did it. In 2018, he signed off on the Shot Clock Masters. He sold the rights to a lucrative tournament series and signed Rolex as a sponsor.
He also let Saudi Arabia get its tentacles in golf by creating the Saudi International. Pelley decided to join the PGA Tour’s strategic alliance. The PGA Tour is a part of the framework deal with Saudi Arabia’s PIF, but it has been pushed to the back in negotiations. Guy Kinnings will be the new CEO of the European Tour Group, effective April 2, replacing the current vice CEO and executive director for the Ryder Cup.
What did European PRso have to say about this move?
