LIV Golfing has recognized its unused chief and is anticipated at hand its reins to longtime sports activities and leisure govt Scott O’Neil.
O’Neil will change Greg Norman, the actual LIV CEO and architect of the breakaway league that reshaped the pro golfing terrain right through the closing 3 years, consistent with a supply briefed at the topic, who used to be granted anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk publicly.
In October, Sports activities Trade Magazine reported the Saudi Arabian Population Funding Investmrent’s intentions to shift Norman out of the CEO position and right into a unused place. That very same occasion Norman informed Sports activities Illustrated that his assurance with LIV would expire in August 2025.
On Wednesday morning, Sports Business Journal reported O’Neil’s emergence because the most likely selection as unused CEO. An individual briefed at the topic showed O’Neil’s variety to The Athletic on Wednesday. A LIV Golfing spokesperson declined to remark at the topic.
O’Neil has labored as CEO of Merlin Entertainments since 2022, overseeing probably the most international’s greatest operators of theme landscapes and motels, together with Legoland houses. Merlin introduced Wednesday morning that O’Neil used to be departing for “another opportunity” and status unwell as CEO efficient on the finish of 2024.
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With O’Neil anticipated to be introduced as LIV CEO, it’s concealed how a lot energy Norman, 69, will guard. The 2-time Not hidden Championship winner continues to be a stream member of LIV’s board of administrators.
O’Neil is maximum chief for his while as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports activities & Leisure, the mum or dad corporate of the Philadelphia 76ers and Unused Jersey Devils. In an eight-year run, he oversaw a couple of building tasks and enlargement alternatives and stewarded the merger of holdings between Sixers and Devils homeowners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. He oversaw “the process,” the Sixers’ a lot publicized, frequently celebrated, every so often maligned, rebuilding that ended in a franchise turnaround however, in the long run, restricted playoff luck.
“I remember what it was like when we first walked in here, and to think we’ve grown this business, over $2 billion in value over six times in eight years, that’s what I do. Hypergrowth, super growth,” O’Neil informed the Related Press on the while of his 2021 leaving.
In taking on LIV, O’Neil will steer the league thru a dim moment motivated through long negotiations between the PGA Excursion and the PIF. The 2 facets, having first come in combination in June 2023 to form a unused entity with blended belongings (together with LIV), haven’t begun to finalize a construction. Negotiations blew age the actual cut-off date earmarked for the tip of closing 12 months.
It’s nonetheless expected that PGA Excursion commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan will in the long run finalize some guarantee that can want favor through DOJ antitrust officers. The place LIV will have compatibility in that extra to be distinguishable.
The league has developed towards an an increasing number of international time table that, future rising the emblem across the world, creates headaches in securing a long-term TV service in america. With 10 of 14 occasions scheduled at this time for 2025, handiest 3 are within the U.S. and none earlier than June.
O’Neil, an alumnus of Villanova and Harvard Trade College, additionally held front-office positions with the Unused York Knicks, Unused Jersey Nets, Philadelphia Eagles and Unused York Rangers.
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(Manage photograph: Bradley Collyer / PA Pictures by means of Getty Pictures)
