The Dec. 31 deadline to come to a definitive agreement with the PIF was extended, and Monahan sent a memo to players that stated "active and productive" negotiations would continue into 2024 with the PIF based on the progress made to date. Monahan and Al-Rumayyan reportedly met last week in Saudi Arabia to continue negotiations.
Strategic Sports Group, PGA Tour finalize $3 billion investment deal to create PGA Tour Enterprises
31/01/2024 16:25
The future of professional golf is beginning to take shape.
On Wednesday morning, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced to players the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), an outside investment group headlined by Fenway Sports Group and comprised of several high-level U.S.-based sports owners, has partnered with the Tour to create PGA Tour Enterprises.
The SSG will invest up to $3 billion, with an initial investment of $1.5 billion. The player grants will vest over time and will be based on career accomplishments, recent achievements, etc. Only qualified PGA Tour players are eligible.
According to a memo from the Tour, “nearly 200 PGA Tour members will have the opportunity to become equity holders” in the new for-profit entity. PGA Tour Enterprises “is also considering participation by future PGA Tour players that would allow them to benefit from the business’s commercial growth,” meaning players who return from LIV Golf or make it to the Tour from college will have access once they regain membership.
The memo also stated PGA Tour Enterprises allows for a co-investment from the PIF in the future, “subject to all necessary regulatory approvals.”
As expected… there wasn't a ton from the player call that explained it more than the press release. It was an introductory call. SSG are investors to the pgatour. Players are equity holders. They will use the money to invest more into the pgatour and hopefully the fans will have…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) January 31, 2024
Back on June 6, 2023, the Tour announced a framework agreement with the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund to create a for-profit golf entity known as PGA Tour Enterprises. Four months later, the PGA Tour's policy board announced it had advanced discussions with the SSG and that it had not shut the door on the PIF.
Why bring in outside investors if talks with the PIF are continuing? One could argue that bringing in the SSG would dilute the Saudi investment and make the deal more palatable given the U.S. government's various questions. On the flip side, such a move might be seen as a way for the Tour to have its cake and eat it, too, by pushing the Saudis out after ending the litigation with the framework agreement. The former seems more realistic and would be a step towards reuniting the game, while the latter would be another pivot from the Tour that would only lead to more battles with LIV.
