Bubba Watson’s LIV Golf claims met with logical skepticism5 min read

Forward of LIV Golf’s Group Championship in Miami, Bubba Watson mentioned potential consumers occupied with his RangeGoats GC, one in every of LIV Golf’s 12 groups.

In spite of everything, the Saudi-backed circuit wants buyers to finance these groups in order that the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF) can see a return on its almost $2 billion funding. The PIF bankrolls LIV Golf.

“Anyplace from 10 to twenty individuals have requested to purchase the RangeGoats,” Watson stated, per Mike McAllister, the Editorial Director of LIV Golf.

“There have been three in Singapore, after which after Singapore the floodgates opened, there was much more. There’s been discuss this week. I met with individuals this week. Yeah, there’s fairly just a few.”

Realizing the sources of this data are invested within the success and existence of LIV, one has to marvel how credible their statements are.

Fore Play podcast host and golf persona, Dan Rapaport, was extremely skeptical. He quote tweeted McAllister, pointing to the athletes who’ve lately purchased into the TGL.

The workforce facet of LIV has been a large aspect of the league, a stark departure from the person stroke play occasions seen on the PGA Tour.

But, the tour, along with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, launched TGL, an indoor golf league that begins in January 2024.

24 PGA Tour gamers have dedicated to TGL, which is able to characteristic six groups with 4 gamers every, very similar to the construction seen on LIV Golf.

Amongst these related to LIV, discussions of TGL throughout the league have been “greeted with a watch roll,” in line with Golf Correspondent James Corrigan of The Telegraph, an English outlet.

“Will you be delivering on a Tuesday evening to observe guys hitting it right into a display screen?” one participant stated to Corrigan. “It’s a blatant fop to Tiger and Rory to maintain them onside and earn them thousands and thousands of, guess what, ‘assured cash.’”

Gamers who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf acquired criticism for taking ‘Saudi blood cash’ up entrance as a substitute of incomes money by sturdy performances.

However Ian Poulter, a former Ryder Cup star for Group Europe, acknowledged that TGL is part of a brand new development.

Photograph by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Pictures

“Everybody—large companies, celebrities, sports activities stars—all of the sudden need to get in with workforce sports activities,” Poulter stated, in line with Corrigan.

“Have a look at Wrexham [Football Club] with these Hollywood actors and different superstars at different groups, golf equipment and franchises… It’s not simply the potential revenue margin; it’s being concerned and the enjoyable available. It’s a win-win. Everybody needs a bit, and I feel LIV has been a frontrunner on this, yeah. Positively in golf.”

However has LIV been a frontrunner in securing investments for its workforce franchises?

5 of the six groups aside of the TGL have billion-dollar house owners, all primarily based in a few of America’s largest and most worthwhile cities:

The sixth workforce has but to be introduced, however that data will seemingly comply with quickly.

As for LIV, none of its 12 groups have secured house owners like TGL has, which is stunning for the reason that Saudi-backed circuit is 2 years older than Woods and McIlroy’s new indoor enterprise.

But, Poulter, who captains Majesticks GC, one other LIV Golf workforce, insists that he and his co-captain Lee Westwood have signed sponsorship offers for his or her squad.

Photograph by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Pictures

“We’ve signed the largest sponsorship contract out of the 12 groups and can signal one other, and we’ve the perfect backroom group, with all the blokes we’ve doing the offers and caring for the enterprise facet,” Poulter stated to Corrigan.

Maybe LIV Golf has secured buyers for its 12 groups, and the league is ready to announce these after its season-ending occasion in Miami this week.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman even expressed confidence within the league’s future in Miami.

“All indications are exhibiting that the place of LIV has by no means been stronger and that the success of our gamers and our model has by no means been in a greater place,” Norman stated.

However when push involves shove, skeptics should marvel the place the consumers are for LIV Golf’s groups. If TGL can safe buyers, why can’t LIV?

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.