PGA and LIV to merge

[4th&long]

If they can merge... USFL and XFL certainly can...

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/06/pga-tou ... -golf.html

>> The PGA Tour has agreed to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf in a deal that would see the competitors squash pending litigation and move forward as a larger golf enterprise.

The two entities signed an agreement that would combine the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s commercial businesses and rights into a new, yet-to-be-named for-profit company. The agreement includes DP World Tour, also known as the European PGA Tour.

LIV Golf is backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, an entity controlled by the Saudi crown prince and has been embroiled in antitrust lawsuits with the PGA Tour in the last year. The deal announced Tuesday would end all pending litigation.

PIF is prepared to invest billions of new capital into the new entity, CNBC’S David Faber reported on Tuesday. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

As part of the agreement, the three groups will establish “a fair and objective process for any players who want to re-apply for membership with the PGA Tour or DP World Tour” following the end of the 2023 season, according to a release.

The deal comes soon after LIV golfer Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship, one of four major titles in men’s golf <<

[GDAWG]

While I think golf is a boring as hell as a TV sport, the LIV Golf thing has fascinated me from day one.

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

Wow.

This is the equivalent of having the USFL actually pull off its merger with the NFL like it tried in the 1980s.

Now, if only they'd had Saudi oil backing instead of being at the whims of a certain future President...

[CFLfan_inPhilly]

Somewhere in China,
a bazillionaire suddenly has an idea.

[MarkNelson]

Profiteering made this happen.

[4th&long]

Profiteering made this happen.

It makes sense business wise, and the golfers like the guaranteed income. Plus its a world wide sport.

[FootballYoda]

Profiteering made this happen.

It makes sense business wise, and the golfers like the guaranteed income. Plus its a world wide sport.

Not ever golfer is into this. So no.

Other than the word “merger” there is no similarity between this and a possible USFL/XFL merger.

[JeffXFL]

XFL and USFL won’t merge until someone can make a s-ton of money by doing it.

[4th&long]

Profiteering made this happen.

It makes sense business wise, and the golfers like the guaranteed income. Plus its a world wide sport.

Not ever golfer is into this. So no.

Other than the word “merger” there is no similarity between this and a possible USFL/XFL merger.

Majority of Golfers certainly like the guaranteed income. The ones conned by PGA into not taking big money LIV contracts feel used and betrayed, because they were. This was always about money.

[4th&long]

XFL and USFL won’t merge until someone can make a s-ton of money by doing it.

Well nothing is guaranteed. But merging increases potential success and reduces risk (including $$ lost).

Based on 2023, Disney does not have the bandwidth to show XFL games on its primary nets during the best viewing period (Feb to early March). While USFL's cable games have not lived up to Disney's. I do feel the smaller markets aren't as helpful for TV ratings as well. Also some cities are have engaged better than others. There's more points but these are a few.

So I think there are synergies that could be exploited, while reducing risk and benefiting both ownership groups.