Appearance fees are the problem with LIV Golf tour
If you think of pro golfers as independent contractors, which they themselves do, those joining the LIV Golf circuit are acting no differently in their own interests than Western governments and corporations doing business with the shady, savage Saudis.
But from a sporting perspective, the more problematic issue is the huge appearance fees going to golfers on the downside of their PGA Tour earning potential. Appearance fees make a mockery of legitimate competition. Shoot a few lousy rounds, no sweat. The check still clears.
Price is right: Of the golfers bellying up to the Saudi trough, Dustin Johnson comes closest to acknowledging his true motive. It isn’t to “grow the game,” as some players have disingenuously claimed, but to grow his bank account while playing fewer tournaments. Reportedly, he’s getting $125 million from tour organizers to join the series. That’s a lot of money for someone who was scraping by on the PGA Tour with $75 million in career earnings.
Stands to reason: Unless
LIV players are barred from the majors, more PGA Tour pros — even those currently critical of player defections — will leave for the Saudi’s filthy lucre.
Welcome party: Now that a scion of the Walmart dynasty is buying Denver’s NFL team, can we expect elderly men and women to work as greeters at Broncos games?
Political football: Wonder what the “stick to sports” crowd has to say about Jack Del Rio’s “dust-up” remark. The Washington Commanders and publicrelations gaffes go together like Beavis and Butt-Head.
Damage control: No way does Dan Snyder appear at the congressional hearing on June 22 and expose himself to questions he can’t and won’t answer.
Garbage time: Too many NBA playoff games this year have ended with both teams emptying their bench. Not a good look.
Motormouth: He talks — and talks and talks — a big game, but as his Warriors fall to 1-2 in the NBA Finals, Draymond Green has as many fouls as points: 15.
Appointed rounds: Deshaun Watson reportedly booked massage sessions with 66 different women over 17 months. There’s gotta be an easier way for a rich, young athlete to get his freak on.
Future watch: When Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2022 season after betting $1,500 on NFL games over a fiveday period while away from the club on a mental health break, Roger Goodell said it was done to protect the integrity of the league. In that case, Watson should be docked a full season and then re-evaluated.
Wondering: I don’t know if it was stupidity or arrogance on the part of Browns ownership that led them to sign Watson, guaranteeing him more millions than any NFL player ever, with this cloud over his head. Browns fans deserve our sympathy.
Altered states: Tiger out of the U.S. Open, Serena and Federer missing from Wimbledon ... the times they are a-changin’.
Top spin: Will Rafael Nadal play Wimbledon? Maybe. But he was photographed on crutches this week. He probably couldn’t win more than two or three matches on crutches.
Stirring it up: Asked if he’s thought about retirement, Aaron Rodgers recently said, “I think about it all the time.” There he goes again, trolling Packers fans and media, keeping himself in the news.
Playing around: Don’t ever doubt the financial benefits of an Ivy League education. Just-retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made $81.2 million in salary over his first 17 years out of Harvard.