LIV Golf is gearing up for a difficult second album in music terms.
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After mixed reviews and a lot of lucrative payments, the Saudi-backed series will return in 2023 with a program organizers might call, “Golf, but louder”.
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LIV is confident that they will secure a broadcast deal to highlight their prize-money of $400 million plus with 14 events planned.
Greg Norman, two-time major winner, is the current CEO of LIV. He has been at the forefront in media promotion since the beginning of any notion of a breakaway tour. He is easily the most well-known face of a series which keeps modesty aside by declaring that it has “no interest” to talk to the PGA Tour regarding a truce because “our product works.”
According to The Telegraph however, Saudi leaders are talking to Mark King, ex-CEO of Taylor Made. King was the man who took Taylor Made from a turnover in $263 million to $1.5 Billion during his 12-year tenure. King is now preparing to replace Norman.
King proved his worth not only in one company. He was also a successful President of Adidas North America. This increased the company’s turnover by a substantial quarter again in King’s final year.
According to the report, LIV’s board is looking for a return on what has already been a huge financial investment. The unnamed source commented:
The Saudis have already contributed more than $2 billion and they want the business plan to be clear and less chaotic. It is understandable that it has been hectic as they have had the task of doing everything on their own. However, .”
While the source suggests that the “plan” is on track, it is clear that King, the current CEO of Taco Bell would be less polarizing and taken more seriously as the head a company that views itself as “another among existing tours” in five years.
King was seen at LIV events recently and it is believed that he spoke with Yasir AlRumayyan, Governor of the Saudi Public Investment (PIF), and Chairman of Saudi Aramco. A company heavily involved in women’s golf, which Norman has always stated is on LIV’s agenda.
However, Majed Al Soorour, LIV’s Managing director, responded to the report. He told Bob Harig of SI:
“Greg Norman serves as our CEO and Commissioner. Any suggestion Greg Norman is being re-trained or restructured in his title or role is patently false.
Norman’s son referred to the report as “BS”.
