Report: LIV Golf close in on signing they've craved for years

It's taken more than two years, but LIV Golf are reportedly close to signing a lucrative TV contract with Fox Sport. 

Sports Business Journal are reporting the breakaway tour is expected to agree a deal with the TV network. 

It is understood that deal will see Fox Sport televise all of 14 of their $25m events in 2025, including the season-ending team championship. 

LIV launched in June 2022 and despite declarations from commissioner Greg Norman that there were a number of interested parties, it took until January the following year for the league to strike a TV deal.  

The Saudi-backed league agreed a broadcast deal with The CW, bringing their tournaments to more than 120m homes in the U.S. 

Details of that arrangement have been a closely guarded secret.

Tournaments have also streamed on YouTube and the LIV Golf app, but the overall viewing figures have never been revealed. 

Overall, viewing figures for men's professional golf have suffered significantly in 2024. 

It is generally assumed the waning interest has been a direct result as a result of the divide in the talent pool since LIV's launch. 

The aforementioned Norman acknowledged LIV's failure to land a TV deal frustrated him in October. 

"Where we're falling short is due to the headwinds in not getting a network [TV] deal," Norman told SI. 

"That creates uncertainty in the marketplace. [A lot of companies say] let's see what happens. That rolls into sponsorship. 

"We have an enormous number of big corporations who are talking to us and would be very keen to come on."

Norman will soon be replaced as commissioner. 

The two-time Open champions says he's fine with the decision to be replaced. 

It is understood former NHL and NBA executive Scott O'Neill will take over the top job. 

O'Neill was spotted at last week's PGA Tour versus LIV Golf exhibition match featuring Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. 

The Crypto dot come Showdown was won by the PGA Tour duo. 

O'Neill played in the pro-am before the match alongside Alan Gadd, the head of sports media at CAA Evolution and Jordan Blazant, the executive vice president of business development and media for Fox Sports. 

You can read the full SBJ report here. 

LIV's third full season kicks off next February in Riyadh. 

There are a few differences, primarily with the season finishing in August compared to September in 2024. 

What else is going on with LIV?

LIV are still attempting to recruit players for the 2025 season. 

Earlier in the week, it was reported young Spanish talent Angel Ayora rejected a LIV contract. 

The 20-year-old has had a bright start to his career on the DP World Tour. He's in the field for this week's AfAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Anthony Kim has also weighed in on the Ryder Cup pay-for-play debate. 

U.S. golfers will be paid for the very first time in 2025. 

Kim, who is expected to return to LIV next year, reckons that is fine. 

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