Greg Norman is On His Way Out of LIV Golf CEO Position

Greg Norman is on his way out of the CEO position at LIV Golf, sources told Sports Business Journal, as the golf tour is seeking a new frontman.

Norman will move to a senior leadership role, and would not be axed from LIV in any way, the report says. Odgers Berndtson, a London-based executive and recruitment search firm, has been tasked with finding Norman’s replacement.

LIV Golf is quietly searching for a new CEO to replace Greg Norman, with the Saudi Public Investment Fund hiring Odgers Berndtson.

Early targets included Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, but talks didn’t progress.

Read more from @JoshACarpenter ⬇️https://t.co/qSGFFSKwMu

— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) October 15, 2024

There are several early targets, including Big 12 Conference Commissioner Brett Yormark. These talks were unsuccessful.

There are major implications to the reports that Norman is on his way out, and some of them include the looming merger talks with the PGA and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which funds LIV Golf.

The PGA TOUR and PIF are coming to terms on a merger deal that could see professional golf become reunited once again.

However, some players and highly influential names on the TOUR, like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, have said the only way for a deal between it and LIV is for Norman to exit his position as CEO.

Merger Talks

The talks between the PGA TOUR and PIF have heated up in recent months. For the past year and a half, it seemed like a deal would never get done, and golf fans around the world would be forced to deal with the major divide in the game.

However, things have taken a stratospheric turn as players like McIlroy, who is close to the negotiations, have said a deal will be done by the year’s end.

It would be monumental, but there is still skepticism as to what kind of changes would be enacted to ensure a smooth transition back to a unified game.

There has been speculation that the issue is money, and reports indicate that some TOUR players have no interest in letting LIV players come back without sacrificing at least some of their signing bonuses, or money won in future events.

PGA TOUR and PIF Talks Are Stuck in the Mud Over Money

Others believe that the only player truly concerned about money is not a player at all. Some think PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan is the reason for the holdup.

Nevertheless, things are still moving along, and this is evident by the recently announced LIV Golf vs. PGA TOUR event featuring Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler.

Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also follow me on X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Cover Image via SBNation