Posted on 08/03/2022 10:48:01 AM PDT by Red Badger
Tiger Woods turned down an offer between $700 million and $800 million to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman confirmed in an interview that aired Monday night.
Norman, appearing on an episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight, said LIV Golf approached Woods, a 15-time major champion, before he was named the new circuit's CEO and commissioner.
"That number was out there before I became CEO," Norman told Fox News host Tucker Carlson during an interview that took place at this past weekend's LIV Golf Invitational Series event at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. "Look, Tiger is a needle mover, right? So, of course you're got to look at the best of the best. They had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO. That number is somewhere in that neighborhood."
Woods, 46, has been among the most outspoken supporters of the PGA Tour during its ongoing battle with LIV Golf for the best players in the world. At last month's Open Championship in St. Andrews, Woods said he supported the R&A's decision not to invite Norman, a two-time winner of the event, to the 150th celebration of The Open.
"The R&A obviously have their opinions and their rulings and their decision," Woods said. "Greg has done some things that I don't think is in the best interest of our game, and we're coming back to probably the most historic and traditional place in our sport. I believe it's the right thing."
Woods was also critical of players who have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. LIV Golf has lured several players, including past major champions Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, to the new tour with guaranteed contracts reportedly worth between $100 million and $200 million, in addition to prize money at each event.
"I disagree with it," Woods said. "I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position."
During the interview with Carlson, Norman called the PGA Tour a "monopoly" and said it has created obstacles that caused LIV Golf to alter its plans for its launch. Last week, LIV Golf announced that it is expanding its series to 14 tournaments in 2023, with 48 players competing on 12 established team franchises for $405 million in purses.
Last month, two player managers confirmed to ESPN that the U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the PGA Tour's handling of its players and whether it has engaged in anticompetitive behavior during its ongoing battle with LIV Golf.
"It's a monopoly," Norman said. "They just want to shut us down whatever way they can, so they'll use whatever leverage point they can to shut us down, and they're not. They're not going to shut us down because the product speaks for itself."
Norman said he was also surprised that some longtime corporate sponsors had dropped players who defected to LIV Golf.
"That blows my mind," Norman said. "Sponsors, by the way, who spend billions of dollars in Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour has about 27 sponsors, I think, who do 40-plus billion dollars' worth of business on an annual basis in Saudi Arabia. Why doesn't the PGA Tour call the CEO of those organizations [and say], 'I'm sorry we can't do business with you because you're doing business with Saudi Arabia.' Why are they picking on the professional golfers?"
During the interview with Carlson, Norman noted that one of the biggest sponsors of women's golf is Aramco, the Saudi Arabian Oil Company.
"Not one word has been said about them," Norman said. "Why is it on the guys? Why are we the ogres? What have we done wrong?"
Time marches on.
Money talks, and the players are just the products and easily replaced.
Because Trump is involved? Just guessing here.
‘”I disagree with it,” Woods said. “I think that what they’ve done is they’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.”’
Sorry, Eldrick, but few people in their right minds are going to turn down *guaranteed* contracts in the $100 million range out of some kind of noble desire to preserve the traditions of golf.
Tiger thinks he can still over-take Nicklaus’ majors total.
I’m happy Tiger turned it down for whatever reason, and I hope he continues to stay out of it. I hope many others follow suit and don’t sell their souls for money. That this new league is financed by some of the most disgusting and aberrant people on this planet AND ALLOWED in our country is a disgrace, and that Trump allowed it at Bedminster is disgusting. Saudi Arabia may not be the worst offender of human rights, but considering they still allow dozens of millions of slaves in their country and still treat women like scum (to name just 2 reasons) is enough to say No thank you.
And when I retire I'm sure I'll earn my Senior PGA tour card with my 15 handicap. /s I don't think Tiger can even win another "C" PGA tournament, much less a major.
were you aware that the LPGA's biggest sponsor is Aramco?
Must be nice to be able to turn down $700-800 million and continue to sleep at night
GOOD!
He's a billionaire and still earning tens of millions a year. He just wants to preserve the integrity of his accomplishments in the PGA, which are impressive. Problem is, as LIV grows it will take the great players on the PGA as well as up and comers and unlike the CFL and other competitors to the NFL etc, the talent on the LIV may very well exceed the PGA. If that happens it's the PGA that goes out of business. Which is why I suspect a compromise, soon.
Yes, Woods is a racist democrat. but not a white girl racist.
Then why did the NFL and the AFL merge?
Not sure how that compares to the CFL, but I believe they did not want to get in a bidding war for players, so they merged. I suspect that at that time the league talent in the AFL was competing with the NFL. So back to my analogy, the CFL never could compete on money or talent so it never was a true competitor to the NFL. However, the LIV is definitely a competitor on money, and soon on talent, which is why they will soon come to some sort of agreement.
Yes that was the analogy I was drawing, because clearly the AFL was matching the NFL’s talent, so inevitably they had to merge. Some similar compromise will eventually happen between LIV and the PGA. Golf can’t survive with the division.
Economics, I believe.
It's difficult to beat a monopoly.
The AFL had mostly wealthy owners, not dependent on football for their sustenance, and the NFL folks realized it was time to strike a deal good for both sides.
I suspect some sort of open architecture will be the ultimate solution between PGA, LIV, European tour, etc.
Maybe he's running short of cash and still having to make payments on his $70 million, 228 ft. yacht.........
The same with Phil Mickelson, he's 52 years old now and at the end of his PGA career, so of course he would give the finger to the PGA and accept a guaranteed contract of $200 million just to show up and golf for the LIV.
This isn't professional golf when you have to hire professions to play for you, it's just a show.
The Saudi's don't give a rat's ass about golf, or making money from it since the entire LIV will be subsidized by their unlimited pocketbook funded by oil.
This is merely a an effort to expand the Saudi image via a global sport they never gave a shit about........
Woods and the other PGA professionals recognize that and are staying true to the PGA organization that accepted them and they grew up in.
As far as Norman and the other PGA golfers who signed on to this destined to fail LIV, you made your decision and now you have to live with it..........
And the PGA made a lot of money off of Norman, why does he owe them anything now?
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