PGA-LIV Merger: What We Know So Far

LIV-PGA Merger Announced

On June 6th, golf fans were shocked by the announcement that the PGA and rival golf league LIV had agreed on a merger. LIV Golf and the PGA have had a fraught relationship since LIV first emerged in early 2022. There has been plenty of controversy regarding golfers switching back and forth between the two leagues, and the new merger between the PGA and LIV will put an end to that but raises a host of new questions from fans loyal to the PGA.

PGA Officials State They Have No Real Choice

When PGA Tour Chief Operating Officer Ron Price and board member Jimmy Dunne testified before the U.S. Senate regarding the negotiations, they made it clear that the LIV-PGA merger is the PGA’s only choice at this point.

Price stated: “To the extent that LIV Golf has been successful in taking away some of our top players through their irrational economical business model, that puts pressure on our ability to maintain our primary revenue sources and if they continue to do that, we would…[face] an existential threat.”

Dunne added: “My fear is if we don’t get to an agreement, they’re already putting billions into golf, they got a management team that wants to destroy the tour… they have an unlimited horizon and an unlimited amount of money…it isn’t like the product is better, it’s just that there’s a lot more money that will make people move, and I’m concerned exactly with what the senator’s worried about. I’m more concerned if we do nothing, they could end up owning us.”

While all the details of the PGA-LIV merger have not been announced, we do know that it will result in a new company with the PGA as the majority owner. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will take a large minority stake in the company. The new combined company will be for-profit and, although the exact structure is still being hammered out, it has been suggested that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy (both loyal PGA golfers), may be given their own teams.

Sportswashing Controversy

Many golf fans have always been against the LIV Golf league due to concerns about “sportswashing,” or Saudi Arabia using a sports league to distract from the country’s negative reputation for human rights violations. Those worried about sportswashing are generally unhappy about the merger and concerned that the PGA, a long-trusted sports organization, could completely change under the influence of LIV.

Whatever your thoughts on the new merger, it is certainly an interesting time to be a golf fan! Just don’t forget to make time to get out on the golf course amid all the excitement. We’ve got you covered with great deals on used golf balls from your favorite brands.