Greg Norman has been the man in charge of LIV Golf since the league’s formation, but the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are on the lookout to replace him as CEO
Greg Norman has been the man in charge of LIV Golf since the league’s formation, but the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are on the lookout to replace him as CEO Greg Norman has been the man in charge of LIV Golf since the league’s formation, but the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are on the lookout to replace him as CEO
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) have identified former Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Scott O’Neil as a potential replacement for LIV Golf boss Greg Norman.
Earlier this month, it was reported by Sports Business Journal (SBJ) that the Saudi chiefs were on the hunt to replace Norman as CEO, who has led the league since its formation in 2021. And now SBJ have claimed those in charge of LIV have held talks with O’Neil over taking the role.
O’Neil left Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in 2021 to take up a role with Merlin Entertainments, the theme park giant who own both Alton Towers and Legoland.
On Wednesday however, it was reported by Sky News that O’Neil would be stepping down from his role in charge. It now appears that the former boss of the Philadelphia 76ers is holding discussions to take over Norman’s role at LIV, with the former world No. 1 expected to be deployed elsewhere within the league.
It would prove to be quite the shake-up by PIF, who pledged their backing behind Norman to create men’s professional golf’s newest tour. Despite some setbacks, the Australian has been able to develop the circuit in a short space of time, drawing in some of the biggest names in the sport including Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm.
Norman has undoubtedly played a huge role in the league’s rapid rise in recent years, but has seemingly been left out of negotiations with the ongoing framework agreement being worked out by LIV bosses and their rivals over at the PGA Tour.
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With his future up in the air, Norman claimed in a recent interview that he had a contract as the league’s CEO until 2025, and was set to honour it. “I’ll answer it this way: My contract is through August of 2025. My commitment to LIV has been unquestioned and my commitment into the future is also unquestioned,” he told Sports Illustrated.
“Time will tell. Will there be a change in my role? My position and my role is to deliver 2025 and get our schedule done and all the things we need to do.” He also went on to address the possibility of a peace deal with the PGA Tour, adding: “I can only speak on LIV’s behalf and we’re moving forward irrespective [of a deal].
“Would it make things easier? Yes, it would,” he noted. “Whether it’s a year or now. I will go to my grave wondering about those first 18 months [with LIV] and why. Knowing where we are today. Knowing the acceptance of what LIV Golf is today. Why did it have to be that way?
“You sit back and see all the people in the industry who created this angst. I just wish I could go back in time and revisit the start. And knowing what they know would they have done things differently. I bet they would have.” LIV are currently in their offseason, after their 2024 campaign came to an end in September.
Mirror – Sport
