“The PGA Tour is killing it and LIV is dying a slow, costly death,” tweeted Brandel Chamblee recently, highlighting the stark contrast between the two golf tours. Chamblee’s comments came after NBC’s viewership for The Players Championship was revealed to be 3.6 million for the final round, with the playoff drawing 1.5 million viewers across TV and digital platforms. In contrast, LIV Golf’s finale last year reportedly drew only 55,000 viewers, and its Singapore event this year allegedly garnered just 34,000 viewers for the final round on Fox Sports 1.
Chamblee believed fans preferred watching the PGA tour over LIV because of the history it possessed, and with the merger talks up in the air, Chamblee’s statements blew up. Well, now it seems like the analyst is back to put an end to the biggest mystery of the golf world.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Bret Boone podcast on YouTube, Brandel Chamblee shared insights on the potential PGA Tour and LIV Golf deal. According to Chamblee, a billionaire insider told him, “The deal will never get done.” This assertion is based on the complexities surrounding the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s involvement in LIV Golf. Chamblee believes the PGA Tour faces a tenuous position in navigating relationships with the Saudis, who have significant financial resources but are perceived as “bad guys”.
“I was on the range at the American Express, which is out in Palm Springs and I saw somebody who’s one of the gatekeepers of golf he was he’s in those rooms and uh you know billionaire business guy and uh I said you know what’s going to happen He said, ‘The deal will never get done.’ He said, ‘The lawsuits ended to end the discovery likely on both sides. Everybody was worried about that the lawsuits ended.’ He said, ‘The Saudis, they got a lot of money, but they’re bad guys”, he said.
Chamblee emphasizes that golf didn’t need Saudi money initially, making the situation even more challenging. LIV Golf wants to incorporate a team aspect, but Chamblee sees zero evidence of interest in team golf, aside from copying the Ryder Cup and the WM Phoenix Open’s atmosphere. He notes that top PGA Tour players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth are unlikely to participate in LIV Golf’s team events, especially given the unfavorable locations and timing. Chamblee thinks LIV Golf is here to stay, and the PGA Tour might not complete a deal with them due to differences over the team aspect.
December 20, 2024, Orlando, Florida, USA: Tiger Woods watches his greenside bunker shot on the 18th hole at the PNC Championship Pro-Am at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA – ZUMAw109 20241220_fap_w109_005 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
In Chamblee’s opinion, only a few players, such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, truly “move the needle” in terms of popularity and sponsorship. He believes the PGA Tour must navigate this complex situation carefully, considering the potential consequences of partnering with LIV Golf.
With the current stalemate, it’s uncertain what the future holds for both tours. However, one problematic thing is also taking shape as not only fans, even golf pros are getting tired of the wait.
Justin Thomas thinks the merger is ‘past the level of exhaustion’
Justin Thomas is keeping his head down, focusing on his golf game rather than the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. “I’m glad I don’t know more or I’m not more invested because I think it would be mentally draining, physically draining,” Thomas said. “It just would be exhausting.” The talks, which began in June 2023, are still ongoing, with commissioner Jay Monahan committed to reunification without diminishing the PGA Tour’s strength. “We’re committed to these negotiations and to doing everything that we can to drive to reunification for our fans,” Monahan said. “That said, we’re not going to do anything that diminishes the strength of our platform or that momentum that we have with our fans and partners.”
Thomas is happy that the merger is no longer dominating every conversation, noting that “I think this is like the third time I’ve played this tournament while this has been going on in some way, shape or form. Yeah, I think we’re kind of like past the level of exhaustion. At least it’s not consuming everything we’re being asked about.” Adam Scott, head of the player advisory council, believes the biggest hurdle is figuring out how to unify the competitive golf products of LIV and the PGA Tour. “I think the biggest hangup is in how we see the highest level of competitive golf going forward,” Scott said. “The product of LIV and the product of the PGA Tour work in very different ways. So I think the challenge is figuring out how that can come together and be really [reunified], which is kind of what everyone is shooting for.”
Do you think there is going to be a merger after Chamblee’s comments? Let us know in the comment section below!
The post Brandel Chamblee Exposes Billionaire Insider’s Tidbit On PGA Tour-LIV Golf Halted Merger: ‘Deal Will Never Get Done’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
