The 2025 season for the LIV Golf, which started with great news of partnership and advancement, saw a dip. After three years of competing under the guidance of Greg Norman, the dynamics have changed along with the season. From the 2025 season, the league has got a new CEO, Scott O’Neil. The leadership changes raised concerns for the league, but the deals with Fox Sports, ITV, and the extension from the Seven Networks led by the new CEO relieved the fans.
Despite the great news, the expectations from the deal, when met with reality, raised worry for the entire community. The league, which after the deal was expected to skyrocket its product saw a decline. The first event of the 2025 schedule, which was LIV Golf Riyadh, had 12,000 average viewers on the first day, which increased a bit for the final day by approximately 40,200. Even with the recent LIV Golf Singapore, the story had a similar outcome as the final round had a 34,000 viewership average. Despite the worry signs, the CEO seems to be positive about it.
Recently, Scott O’Neil, along with his daughter, Lexi O’Neil, spoke on the latest episode of the Girl Dad Podcast. Lexi brought up the topic of his appointment as the new CEO of LIV Golf. O’Neil shared how he is trying to improve golf. Further, he added, “I do love challenges. I think LIV Golf is a disruptor.” Indeed, LIV Golf was introduced when no one imagined stepping away from the traditional setup. And fortunately, it attracted many top players which benefited the league.
Image Credits: @scottoneil on Instagram
However, despite the challenges, the CEO is looking at the positives, “I think there’s such an opportunity to get and grow this game and so if we can put LIV Golf and do what we do at the world-class level if we innovate if we think really differently. We’ll continue to do what’s in the best interest of golf, which is to grow this game.”
The new deals and partnerships made at the beginning of the season kept the idea of growth on track. Away from the partnership with the TV broadcasters, even the team got new brand partners. For example, Bryson DeChambeau got Reebok, while Phil Mickelson and his team got Primo golf apparel.
However, constant worries will loom until the viewership or the unification picks up pace. Earlier, the merger saw some advancement, but it seems to have slowed down now as per Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy on LIV Golf-PGA Tour unification
The viewership isn’t the only worry for the league. Despite having a great season at the LIV schedule, the rejection from OWGR was another concern which led to a drop in the players’ world rankings, However, the unification might sort out many issues for the league. Additionally, the talks with Donald Trump, Jay Monahan, and Yasir Al-Rumayyan offered hope for the fans.
But McIlroy has a different opinion of it. During the press conference at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he shared, “I don’t think it’s ever felt that close, but I don’t, it doesn’t feel like it’s any closer.” While on the other hand, Adam Scott, Tiger Woods and Jay Monahan have participated in discussions about finding a common ground.
Continuing further, the Irishman shared the issue, “So if one party is willing and ready and the other isn’t, it sort of makes it tough.” The merger will bring together two leagues that follow a unique format. Thus, finding common ground might be an issue as McIlroy has pointed out.
The leadership team has remains optimistic and O’Neil is ready to take on challenges. The league’s fresh worries might pose hurdles in its expected growth. What do you think about it? Share with us in the comments below.
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