Chairman of FSG confirms PGA Tour talks after 'monster offer' report
The owner of Fenway Sports Group has confirmed discussions have been held over investing in the PGA Tour but ultimately the decision lies with the players.
The owner of Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has confirmed discussions about investing in the PGA Tour have been held.
Tom Werner told CNBC it is ultimately 'up to the players' on what direction they want to go in.
Werner was on the programme to discuss Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's tech-fused golf league TGL.
Talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV's financiers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia, have intensified after the Ryder Cup.
The 31 December deadline to ratify the framework agreement looms large, although reports in recent weeks suggest that can and likely will be extended.
Depending on who you speak to, the deal is quickly falling apart or progressing slowly.
Perhaps a sign the peace talks are going well came in the form the PGA Tour recently confirmed they would allow members to compete in LIV Golf's qualifying school in December. That could also be a moot point.
The journalist and author Alan Shipnuck recently reported Fenway Sports Group, who also own Liverpool Football Club, had made a 'monster bid' that would usurp the PIF's investment.
McIlroy has stated he now wants the PIF to invest. "Hopefully, when this is all said and done, I sincerely hope that the PIF are involved and we can bring the game of golf back together," he said.
Werner wouldn't go into detail about the nature of FSG's conversations with the PGA Tour.
He said: "We don't really like to talk about things that are in discussion.
"Really, we're here to talk about tomorrow's golf and this team and anything we can do to help Rory and the PGA, we're happy to offer our support.
"We just want to offer our support creatively to any of the ideas that are welling up.
"It's really up to the players to decide on the direction they want to go. I confirm we have had conversations."
FSG already have a vested interest in golf. Earlier this year the group entered into a commercial partnership with the LPGA Tour.
Read more:
Ben joined GolfMagic as Content Executive in September 2021 just before the Ryder Cup and has contributed significantly to the growth of the site. Ben now assumes our Content Manager role, specialising in PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf content.
