WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On Wednesday, Scott O’Neil was officially announced as the new CEO of LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi investment. The organization is gearing up to kick off its fourth season next month, coinciding with ongoing negotiations involving its financial supporters and the PGA Tour.
O’Neil succeeds Greg Norman in this leadership position. Previously, O’Neil served as the CEO of Merlin Entertainments, overseeing the operations of over 140 attractions for the company. He also led Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, encompassing notable teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers from the NBA and the New Jersey Devils from the NHL.
“Scott brings a great deal of passion, determination, and insight necessary to advance LIV Golf’s stature as a leading global entity in sports and entertainment,” commented Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who is the governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the chairman of LIV Golf. The future role of Norman within the organization has not yet been clarified.
O’Neil expressed his excitement about this new opportunity, describing it as a “dream come true” to head a sports league. He acknowledged the significant advancements LIV Golf has accomplished in just three short years. “The transformation within the game has been incredible,” O’Neil remarked. “This new team model has energized the sport, granting players more freedom and rights, while also enhancing fan access. Additionally, we have introduced golf to new regions that have long awaited top-tier competition.”
LIV Golf’s upcoming season is set to launch on February 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the first event in the United States scheduled for April 4-6 at Trump Doral, just prior to the Masters tournament.
Conversations between PGA Tour Enterprises and the Public Investment Fund are ongoing, revolving around a potential minority investment from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. However, the implications of this potential investment on the two leagues or the possibility of reuniting golf’s elite remains uncertain.
