According to multiple reports, LIV Golf plans to hire former NBA and NHL executive Scott O'Neil to replace Greg Norman as CEO and commissioner. Norman told Sports Illustrated earlier this year that his contract expires in August 2025 and his future is unclear. An announcement could come next weekaccording to ESPN.
O'Neil will bring a wealth of sporting experience to the 54-hole course. O'Neil was originally CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers beginning in 2013, but his role expanded to include overseeing the New Jersey Devils when he became CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. For the past two years, O'Neil has served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, a major operator of amusement parks and resorts.
Merlin Entertainments announced Wednesday that O'Neil will step down from his position as CEO at the end of the calendar year to pursue “another opportunity.”
Where this leaves Norman remains unclear, but it's still possible he remains with the league in some capacity. The two-time Open champion has been at the forefront of LIV Golf's rise over the past three years, helping to attract star players such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson to the league.
The decision comes as LIV Golf's backer, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, is in talks to invest more than $1 billion in PGA Tour Enterprises, the PGA Tour's new for-profit unit With the help of Strategic Sports Group was founded.
Since the announcement of the framework agreement between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Saudi Arabian PIF on June 6th, there have been ongoing discussions. However, negotiations have been moving in the right direction in recent months, with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan meeting in person more than once.
