‘Only Just Beginning’: LIV Golf Insider Delivers Bold Verdict Amid Uncertain Future With PGA Tour

When a golfer defects from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, the repercussions are stringent and many. But when you look at Jon Rahm and his eye-watering contract of $450 million, you do wonder whether LIV Golf is a money grab or a sporting league startup, that will revolutionize the sport. The narrative has shifted a bit recently. That said, the merger of the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has raised critical questions about LIV Golf’s future. Has the 54-hole golf league’s time already up, or will it continue to disrupt the sport?

These questions were asked and hotly deliberated in the latest episode of EssentiallySports’ Thought Leadership Podcast series—EssentiallySports Think Tank, when our host Trey Holder welcomed Jason Zone Fisher in the episode Inside Scoop from NBA and LIV Golf ft. Jason Zone Fisher.

Fisher, who has lived his life behind and in front of a camera, and worked with various organizations such as CBS News, Gillette, and Nestle, understands the art and craft of promoting a trend-setting product. In addition, the American producer’s experience with his production company, The Zone Productions, has taught him valuable insights and lessons about sustaining a business.

What’s more? He has been associated with LIV Golf since its inception. From hosting the first-ever LIV Golf event in the United States to trophy events internationally, from Australia and Singapore to Spain and London, he has witnessed the allure and setup of LIV Golf closely. So, when our host and master brand innovator tries to sew in a conversation about Fisher’s connection with LIV Golf, the latter discloses how, despite apprehensions, LIV Golf will continue to exist.

Jason Zone Fisher is convinced that LIV Golf is here to stay!

Holder steers the conversation to the recent hot topic of the tussle and friction between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour in the last few minutes of the podcast. While the host initially believes the two rival organizations are coming close, it is now a distant possibility. “But who knows?” Holder, who excels at dishing out an analytical and strategic perspective to the discussion, exclaims with designation as he gives Fisher food for thought. It seems Fisher has a fair idea.

The award-winning filmmaker has befriended LIV golfers with his constant presence at LIV Golf events. But even the professional golfers are dumbfounded about the future of their organization. However, confident of LIV Golf’s future, he says, “Who knows is the key. I mean, I have become friends with almost all of the LIV golfers. Text with a lot of them and they don’t really know what’s going on either. It’s like conversations are happening, and we’ll see what happens and when. But we don’t really know. All that we know is that LIV Golf isn’t going away.”

Fisher then details the factors that make him hold such a positive outlook about a league that is only two seasons old. Apart from the recent agreement between the PGA Tour and PIF, the outflux of renowned names such as Bryson DeChambeau will soon turn the tables, and it will be LIV Golf with more recognizable faces competing for it. Moreover, the recent relaxation of rules for LIV golfers in the Ryder Cup also hints towards a similar transformation. And it might not take long.

“Whether there is a partnership with the PGA or not, they still will be their own thing. And everyone is pretty confident in that. That it continues to grow. It’s getting bigger and bigger, and whether more players come over or there is maybe a new path of cohesive events, or guys can play on PGA events. That no one knows how that’s going to work out. But everyone’s pretty confident that LIV Golf as an entity is only just beginning,” Fisher concludes with brimming enthusiasm and confidence.

WATCH: ES Think Tank’s Exclusive Interview with Josh Booty

Whether the merger goes through or not, and when it does, it will not affect LIV Golf, as Saudi Arabia will continue to pour investment into it. LIV Golf as an entity will exist, and if the current trend is any hint of what is to come, apart from a few popular faces, you can bet on the possibility of elite golfers competing under the banner of LIV Golf in the immediate future.

This episode also includes exclusive insights on Fisher’s know-how of filmmaking, and amusing behind-the-scenes NBA stories, and you can’t miss that! To know all the exciting details, tune into ES Think Tank to watch the full episode!

Think Tank is a premium initiative of EssentiallySports where we bring together the finest brains who talk about strategy, leadership, change, and opportunities in the world of sports content business. Stay tuned for some serious thought leadership from our experts. This is EssentiallySports: ThinkTank. Where Sports Meet Smart Content.

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