DORAL, Fla. — Greg Norman hasn’t spoken publicly since the shocking announcement of the framework agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund back in June.
It was fitting for the Great White Shark to resurface at this week’s LIV Golf Team Championship, held at Trump National Doral where Norman was a three-time winner in 1990, 1993 and 1996 (he lights up talking about his playoff win in 1990). In a small session with reporters, Norman talked about the future of LIV Golf and addressed the swirling rumors of his long-term position as CEO and commissioner of the upstart circuit.
“I knew it wasn’t true,” Norman said of claims he wouldn’t have a position in the wake of the congressional hearings regarding the framework agreement. “There’s so much white noise running around out there, I paid very, very, I actually paid zero attention to it. I know sitting in this seat today, I know every step I’ve made has been for the right reasons, right reasons for the game of golf … So I was never in any fear of anybody saying anything or any animus against me or anything like that. Because the business model works.”
Norman added that he has “zero” concerns about the future of LIV due to the investments that have already been made and his belief in the viability of the franchise model.
“All indications show you that the position of LIV has never been stronger and the position and success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place,” claimed Norman. “As we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule now, some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well, reaching different new regions.”
The exact locations have yet to be confirmed but the plan is for six events to be hosted in the United States with eight held internationally. LIV will return to some venues, leave others in the past and plant new flags at other properties around the world. A schedule release is expected within the next few weeks.
The two-time major champion said he isn’t involved in discussions with the PIF or PGA Tour, but on multiple occasions praised the framework agreement, even saying he hopes it works for the Tour, as well.
“The framework agreement really is a bit of a catalyst because of the recognizing the commercialization of what we are doing here at LIV,” explained Norman. “Private equity has never been invested in the game. We’re an asset class now. And that asset class is in the teams. … So we’re in that position now where the true valuation of where we were in the beta season to the valuation of where we are today is real and going up and up and up.”
“I’m just proud that we were over to do that. And now over here at the framework of agreement, I hope it happens for the PGA Tour as well, too,” he continued. “I hope that works because that’s the best thing for golf, creating this value chain that’s been sitting idle for 53 years.”
The stalling discussions with regard to the framework agreement have led fans and the media to ponder if it will eventually be passed before the end of the year. Norman put to bed any speculation that LIV would be negatively impacted, regardless of the outcome.
“LIV is independent,” he said with confidence bordering on cockiness. “I don’t see LIV going anywhere but up.”