Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour’s chief executive, has his foot out of the door and is on his way to to his next job as president and chief executive at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The 60-year old has a few thoughts he wants to air before he leaves golf later this year.
Pelley criticized the PGA Tour for its lack of global perspective and the players during a press conference this week ahead of the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He also seemed to suggest that his views weren’t taken serious in the past.
“This is an international game. “This is a global game.” Every growing business wants to go global. Pelley has been holding his current title in 2015 and said that he would like to see the game become unified under a global strategy. I think that the PGA Tour has come to realize the importance of globalization for growth. “They have heard me saying it once or two.”
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Pelley echoed PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s belief that has made progress towards a deal between the Strategic Sports Group, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises that aims to reunite professional golf. The initial framework agreement, announced on 6 June 2023, was a step towards reuniting the professional game.
Pelley continued, “Our goal is unification of the game.” “I do not think that all the dialogue has been positive for this game, and I believe that it is growing rapidly coming out of Covid. To capitalize on the growth in the amateur game, the professional game must be united. “Our game is undergoing so many great changes.”
“That was the entire concept behind the Framework Agreement, and I believe some of the top US players are beginning to realize that this was the exact purpose of the Framework agreement. “It was to unify [the game],” he added. “Unfortunately, after that framework agreement some of the best players in the United States did not support it. We needed their support. They are now realizing that unifying the game is the best option. “I think that we will be able to tell the direction of travel in the next few months.”
It’s clear that an agreement will be reached with the SSG, but it isn’t yet known where we are going. ESPN reported that between $3 billion and $7 billion could be at stake if an agreement was reached. But what would a schedule look? Will the PGA Tour have to cut events from its schedule? LIV Golf, and the delayed TGL will be placed under PGA Tour Enterprises? What are the requirements for players who have resigned their membership? When you’re not around to fix the problem, it’s easy to blame others.
“I would be disappointed if the game did not unify.” I have always believed we should all unify and work together. Pelley said, “I’ve been a believer in that for many years.” “I was so happy with the events of June. It was the right move. I still think it’s in the right direction. “The second step is to see what the final product will look like.”
