https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2023/12/08/jon-rahm-liv-golf-patrick-cantlay-pga-tour-coup/

Interesting article on the power struggle going on in these negotiations.

“Patrick Cantlay-led power coup’ blamed for Jon Rahm’s £450m LIV move
High-ranking official believes players' revolt to seize power from executives resulted in world No 3 joining Saudi-backed rebel competition.”

“Sports Illustrated claims that Cantlay, Woods and Jordan Spieth – McIlroy’s replacement on the board – have formed an alliance which is courting US investors, including Fenway Sports and Todd Boehly, the owners of Premier League clubs Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.”

“Now, with a six-five split of players to executives it would be the golfers who ultimately have the last word.”

    Sneakylong Is Woods actually a board member or an advisor, with no voting rights?
    I'm too lazy to look it up myself.😄

        Sneakylong

        The players do not have a majority. There are twelve. Six player directors, and six non-player directors (five independent directors, and one director representing the PGA of America).

            Stu1961

            Talking about voting board members. The PGA of America director is a non voting position. So the players do have a majority 6-5.

            “It means the six player-directors will outnumber the five independent directors on the board, with the PGA of America director holding a non-voting position.”

            “The new board will be comprised of six player directors, five Independent directors, and the PGA of America Director. The other player directors are Patrick Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati, Rory McIlroy, and Webb Simpson.”

            “The new agreement is billed as an assurance that the PGA Tour remains "for the players, by the players, and gives the players an upper hand when it comes to partnering with LIV Golf."

                Sneakylong
                That is interesting. The pgatour’s website didn’t make that differentiation:

                “… the 12-member Policy Board is as follows: Player Directors: Cantlay, Charley Hoffman, Peter Malnati, Rory McIlroy, Simpson, Tiger Woods; Independent Directors: Chairman Edward Herlihy, Jimmy Dunne, Mark Flaherty, Gorder, Mary Meeker; PGA of America Director: John Lindert.”

                I still recall when there were just 8 votes (4 and 4), and certain issues/topics would have either of the groups abstain from voting (like assessing player fines). Not sure I’m a fan of the new imbalance

                  Spuzz
                  Apparently not.....

                  "The 2023 season is in the books! It was a special and incredible season highlighted with a win at the Mexico Open. It was my 6th Win on the @pgatour. Another highlight was reaching the tour championship for the 7th year in a row! As this year comes to an end I’m grateful to play the game that I love and to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level. I’m excited for 2024 and looking forward to playing my 10th season on the PGA Tour! And stoked to be defending in both Mexico and Houston! Thank you to my partners for your continued support. Thank you to the fans for all the love for our whole Finau fam. See y’all in Maui!
                  #imnotleaving."

                      Sneakylong iirc, I've read where he does have voting power, but has never used it.

                      Sneakylong The PGA of America director is a non voting position.

                            Par4QC Sneakylong iirc, I've read where he does have voting power, but has never used it.

                            Can’t believe everything you read. Lol

                              darpar Apparently not....

                              Rumours, as I said.
                              The fields are being weakened by attrition, so makes sense for him to stay on...

                              also looks like Hatton is not leaving yet...
                              prolly waiting to see if his partsy Rahm qualifies for the Ryder Cup via rule changes..

                                  Spuzz If the PGA tour and LIV tour combines, there will be a 3some in that bed, very quickly. DP tour will have to join in.
                                  World ranking points and Ryder Cup will come back for all.

                                      Par4QC If the PGA tour and LIV tour combines, there will be a 3some in that bed, very quickly. DP tour will have to join in.
                                      World ranking points and Ryder Cup will come back for all.

                                      I'm waiting for the big merger before I get my card. 😎

                                        Par4QC DP tour will have to join in.

                                        Yeah, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour signed a 13 year strategic alliance last year.

                                          https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/pga-tour-nearing-lucrative-3-billion-deal-with-us-sports-owners/ar-AA1lzjPE?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=edcf61e0bc5b4b2da9b6903cb7f56cfa&ei=50

                                          Can't see both deals going through. That much money is not necessary and doubtful that (some of)those group owners want to be associated with LIV/Saudis. Could be a ploy to save face by Monahan.
                                          Then again, they probably are already in bed with them, as many U.S. companies are/have been.

                                          If they snag the U.S. groups, imo, they will dump the LIV deal. And then, all holy hell will ensue upon/within the game of Pro golf!

                                            Par4QC

                                            Tiger was asked about it after their round at the PNC today. Reading the tea leaves it sounds like they’re close to a deal. That was my take anyway. No mention of LIV though. Have to wait and see.

                                            Knew about John Henry’s Fenway Group (Red Sox, Penguins, Liverpool owners), but didn’t know that Arthur Blank (Falcons and Home Depot) along with the Celtics owners were involved as well.

                                                Sneakylong Knew about John Henry’s Fenway Group (Red Sox, Penguins, Liverpool owners); but didn’t know that Arthur Blank (Falcons and Home Depot) along with the Celtics owners were involved as well.

                                                Pockets deep enough to put LIV to sleep, if that is the intention. And, I do think it is.

                                                If that happens, the 1st person to open their mouth spouting off on the PGA tour, should be made to go to LIV.
                                                Just shut the fuck up and play your golf. Pot stirring is for the ingrates of society. Or GolfBuzz, which is a different segment of society. 😅
                                                jmo

                                                    Par4QC Pockets deep enough to put LIV to sleep, if that is the intention. And, I do think it is.

                                                    While this pro sports consortium has deep pockets, PIF has deeper pockets. If LIV is left out they won’t go away. But they’ll never get the legitimacy or TV network deals that the PGA Tour offers.

                                                    The fact that Yasir and Monahan were meeting this week could indicate that LIV is still part of any deal. Or it was a meeting to say we’re going it alone. Again, we’ll have to wait and see.

                                                        Sneakylong Yasir and Monahan were meeting this week could indicate that LIV is still part of any deal.

                                                        "Good faith" has to be met. Whether sincere meetings or not. Hinders any lawsuits from taking shape.
                                                        My thoughts are the deal has already been made to keep the PGA Tour all in the U.S..
                                                        Although I have not checked where all the ties are of all those consortium fellas. Bet is they go outside the U.S. for money also.

                                                            Par4QC Hinders any lawsuits from taking shape

                                                            Lawsuits were put to bed with the framework agreement in June. Both agreed to drop the lawsuits. We just don’t know how it’ll all shake out. But my guess is we’ll know soon.

                                                            The PGA Tour looks to be in better shape with the backing of this Sports Group of billionaires.

                                                              16 days later

                                                              sdandrea1
                                                              Basically he has no good choices as far as what to say. He seems like an earnest person so I'm taking him at his word.

                                                                  DonM He seems like an earnest person

                                                                  I'll agree with the earnest part, but I think he was more earnest about catching the top spot in the PIP payout; which he did since the press was lapping all that up.

                                                                    sdandrea1 I agree.

                                                                    And, I'm not playing for them for any amount of money. They had their chance last year.

                                                                      Couldn't read the article, but saw a clip of Rory last night talking about it on a football show. Eamon Lynch put it best. The moral argument lost last June when the PGA Tour made an agreement with the Saudis. Greed won.

                                                                      There were some other good points made. One being the private equity sports consortium doesn't care about saving the PGA Tour. They just care about making a return on their investment.

                                                                      And right now no one knows what's going to happen.

                                                                      Lol. It is a hell of a long way from 'if LIV were the only place to play I would retire' to 'sounds like it would be fun' (speaking of team golf with LIV).

                                                                        rsvman2 sounds like it would be fun' (speaking of team golf with LIV).

                                                                        Funny... he and Tiger were planning a funky team format until 'the roof fell in" 🤣

                                                                          a month later
                                                                          24 days later

                                                                          With the rain at the PGA event, I’m watching LIV today. I’ve watched it a bit so far this year.

                                                                          It’s just… not… interesting. The same guys every time, and a lot of them are second rate. The team thing does nothing for me. The parts of the music that get transmitted are just thumping noise.

                                                                          I don’t care about the political stuff, the product is no damn good. Even if they get a couple more top players, I don’t think it can be salvaged.

                                                                          I can’t see how it survives in this format. Can they keep throwing money at it? Sure! But will anyone watch?

                                                                            I find all golf boring other than the Ryder Cup and last round s of the majors. Can't imagine ever watching LIV. Although LIV has pretty much all the guys I would have any interest in watching, Koepka, Phil, DJ, Bryson.

                                                                              garyt1957 I find all golf boring

                                                                              Well "The Stache" has it going today...... if they resume play, -8 thru 11!

                                                                                garyt1957 all golf boring except for the Ryder Cup and last round s of the majors.

                                                                                I ocassionally tune in to weekly events hoping for a close finish, but......
                                                                                Giphy - Kenan Thompson Yes GIF by Paramount+

                                                                                  DonM I can’t see how it survives in this format. Can they keep throwing money at it? Sure! But will anyone watch?

                                                                                  I have no interest it. There's plenty of other golf for me to watch. Golf isn't big enough to have two competing leagues without over saturating the market. That said we'll see if they eventually come to some sort of deal.

                                                                                  Anyway, here's the numbers.

                                                                                  LIV generated $100 million in revenue during 2023 with an estimated $3 million return from TV.

                                                                                  The PGA Tour has a $5 billion media deal with NBC, CBS, Warner Bros, Discovery and ESPN until 2030. They also have another $5 billion in revenue thru sponsorship deals with FedEx, AT&T and Mastercard.

                                                                                  LIV didn't have many revenue options. LIV expected the big names to attract sponsors. But haven't achieved much success. Also, reports state that LIV's expenses have hit nearly $2 billion in it's first two seasons.

                                                                                  LIV's deal with CW generated ~ $3 million while the PGA Tour earned ~ $700 million via the traditional model.