via Imago
SUGAR GROVE, IL – SEPTEMBER 18: LIV CEO and commissioner Greg Norman watches play on the second hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: SEP 18 LIV Golf Invitational Series Chicago Icon220918022. Image Courtesy: IMAGO
via Imago
SUGAR GROVE, IL – SEPTEMBER 18: LIV CEO and commissioner Greg Norman watches play on the second hole during the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: SEP 18 LIV Golf Invitational Series Chicago Icon220918022. Image Courtesy: IMAGO
The LIV Golf Invitational Series started in 2022. Since then, the Saudi-backed circuit has poached many great PGA Tour players by dangling the carrot of bigger paydays and huge purse prizes. Moreover, the lesser number of tournaments added to the appeal. However, don’t you ever wonder what they would be asking of the players in return for such privileges?
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dustin Johnson on the driving range prior to the final round of the Invitational Chicago LIV Golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
William Shakespeare once said that not all that glitters is gold. Was he able to see the future? Because he sure has the right idea about LIV Golf.
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LIV Golf is not all that good, as the defectors claim
The PGA Tour and rival faction LIV Golf’s court battle has shined a bright light on the highly restrictive player’s contract at LIV. The Sauid-backed circuit has a list of restrictions that the players have to abide by.
According to a Tweet thread from John Nucci, a Chief Golf Law Correspondent, this includes the organization having full control over the number of events conducted. Players have to promote the league as and when required without charging anything for it. Moreover, they are also required to promote the organization via social media posts and also engage in content creation.
Additionally, there is some clause on how the players have to wear the official LIV Golf apparel to all events. The players are restricted to the point that they cannot even organize a press conference without taking permission from the organization first. Furthermore, they have to introduce the faction to their sponsors as well, so they can approach them for partnerships. The restrictions on these contracts do make one wonder why players are resigning from the PGA Tour.
As expected, a lot of fans think that the huge pay that the players receive, these restrictions seem like fair play. However, they also took some digs at the players for entering such restrictive contracts and then promoting LIV to be better than the PGA Tour.
Restrictions. But LOUDER.
— Jeff Burnham (@JeffBurnham) February 25, 2023
That’s what happens when you accept blood money.
— Jon Elder | Amazon FBA | Private Label Consultant (@BlackLabelAdvsr) February 25, 2023
So basically they left the PGA tour to sign up with another organization for $$, yet signed a contract with the clauses they claim the PGA Tour should not be allowed to enforce & now they have to play 14 events spread out w/ a lot more travel.
— John Stewart (@jhSTEW) February 25, 2023
I wonder, did Liv ask for the player's kids birth dates when making the schedule? Wasn't that a big deal for some of these blokes? Seems like they can't pick and choose the tournaments, which they could absolutely do 99% of the time on the PGA.
— Steve (@Someguy1969Aus) February 25, 2023
Phil sure is going to be upset about his media rights when he figures out what’s in his contract!
Also… contractually forbidden from saying anything that could be construed as critical of Saudi Arabia… cool stuff guys.
— Argyle (@Argyle_Golf) February 25, 2023
Nothing is free
— wizard🧙♂️🦷🪄 (@wizardofomfs) February 25, 2023
Boy they signed their golf life away to LIV
— steve lytle (@stevemlytle) February 25, 2023
Oh so they are not over paid to the market independent contractors 🤔? I’m amazed every day the lack of business sense of people on the bird app. #nofreelunch
— BTR (@Braw44) February 26, 2023
I am sarcastically so blown away with surprise that this is happening. Like – who would have thought that the Saudis would try and get tricky with the contracts when the greedy players who sign with them looked past the check and at the fine print? Holy cow. Wow. Cool!
— Bill Rasmas (@tiptalkputtwalk) February 26, 2023
They got paid pretty fairly these terms dont you think? As opposed to the pgat that hides money and magically makes up rules about what is, and is not, and independant contractor that can miss a cut and not receive a penny. Thats not how major sports should treat players.
— The BEC (@PotomacRobbie) February 25, 2023
But in exchange they get guaranteed money ? I.e. an employee vs independent contractor? Or is that not the argument
— pdiddy (@dontcare11223) February 25, 2023
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Players like Phil Mickelson have claimed many times in public that LIV provides golfers full control. However, these restrictions sure seem to tell a completely different story.
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Watch this story: ‘Always Think About S**’: Sexiest Woman in 2022 Paige Spiranac Bashed the Supposed Bizarre Outlook of Her Male Followers Towards Her in 2020
What are your thoughts about them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
