PGA Tour Secures $3bn SSG Agreement

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The PGA Tour has inked a monumental $3 billion deal with a consortium led by Fenway Sports Group, the proprietors of Liverpool FC, marking a significant financial infusion into the golfing world.

This agreement promises $1.5 billion in both immediate and deferred equity to golfers who have opted to stay with the PGA Tour, foregoing the overtures from the competing LIV Golf series.

The deal, which has been under discussion since December of the previous year, coincides with the unveiling of PGA Tour Enterprises. This new profit-oriented entity, initially appraised at $12 billion, will operate alongside the existing non-profit PGA Tour.

Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour Commissioner who will also helm the new profit-focused venture, expressed the significance of this development for the PGA Tour and golf enthusiasts globally. He emphasized the empowerment of PGA Tour members through ownership stakes in the league, enhancing their vested interest in the tour's prosperity.

 

 


PGA Tour player directors including Patrick Cantlay, Peter Malnati, Adam Scott, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods collectively lauded the deal, highlighting the importance of offering players both current and future, a greater stake in their organization financially and in decision-making.

The Strategic Sports Group (SSG), led by Fenway and comprising top sports investors, is at the forefront of this financial boost. The SSG's notable investors include Arthur Blank, Wyc Grousbeck, Marc Lasry, Tom Ricketts, Cohen Private Ventures, and HighPost Capital, all contributing to the investment in PGA Tour Enterprises. The investment plan entails an initial disbursement of up to $1.5 billion, with player equity being determined by their performance, tour standing, and ongoing participation.

While there's no current investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), discussions about potential future contributions are ongoing. This dialogue continues amidst broader conversations between the PGA Tour and PIF, which also finances the LIV Golf series, about a possible collaboration that was preliminarily agreed upon but remains unconfirmed.

 

 


The establishment of the SSG deal introduces a new layer of stability for the PGA Tour, which is strategically linked with Europe's DP World Tour. The partnership between these tours is a focal point, with ongoing discussions aimed at forging a mutually beneficial path forward.

In response to LIV Golf's competitive event lineup, the PGA Tour is committed to hosting a series of $20 million 'Signature Events', designed to rival LIV's attractive tournament offerings.

The future of golf remains uncertain, with questions lingering over a unified schedule that would permit players to partake in both LIV and PGA Tour events.

Rory McIlroy, a former staunch opponent of the Saudi-backed circuit, has recently voiced a more conciliatory tone, advocating for a reconciliation in the interest of the sport's overall health. Ahead of the $20 million Pebble Beach pro-am, McIlroy shared his revised outlook, acknowledging the negative impact of a divided golf landscape on all involved parties.

 

Next: Rory McIlroy Softens LIV Stance

 

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