Norman hails LIV Golf’s new broadcast deal
LIV Golf has secured a multiyear broadcast deal with The CW Network, which means Greg Norman’s league will have access to 120 million American homes.
Critics were quick to belittle The CW Network’s status and pointed to Friday rounds of the revamped LIV Golf League only being available on the network’s app, but Norman, the Saudi Arabia-backed tour’s chief executive, claimed it was a “momentous day”.
If it sounds like small beer, with LIV Golf understood not to be receiving a rights fee and only sharing revenues, it is undoubtedly progress. Norman said: “We’re proud to note how consequential it is that a league that has only existed for one year has secured a full broadcast deal in its debut full league season.”
The deal means LIV Golf will be on television in about 180 countries and will make for more meaningful ratings comparisons with other tours.
Meanwhile, over at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, they had their own succession drama to deflect from the LIV Golf announcement.
“Absolutely, no question,” said Henrik Stenson when asked if he had felt welcome on his return to the DP World
Tour for the first time since being stripped of the Ryder Cup captaincy for signing with the Saudis.
Stenson still recorded a round of 68 in his first non-LIV Golf tournament since the Open last July. However, Luke Donald, the man who replaced him as Ryder Cup captain, stole that thunder with an eight-under-par round of 64 to head the field.
Donald had predicted an “uncomfortable” week for Stenson with all the bad blood flowing beneath burnt bridges, but the Swede, 46, said: “If you’re friends with someone, you’re friends … no matter where they choose to work.”