The PGA Tour has appointed Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott as player representatives for potential negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s PIF, where the three players will be on a “transaction subcommittee” for PGA Tour Enterprises. Previously it was reported that Woods would be the lone player on this team, but after his first round at the Wells Fargo Championship, McIlroy told the assembled media he and Scott “also would be involved in the discussions.” The transaction committee “will hold discussions with PIF should the Saudi wealth fund ultimately join the Strategic Sports Group as equity investors.” Joining Woods, Scott and McIlroy on this transaction team are PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry, board Chair and Valero CEO Joe Gorder and former Tour player Joe Ogilvie. As part of the announcement, Gorder was named Chair of PGA Tour Enterprises (GOLF DIGEST, 5/9).
McIlroy said he was on a call with the group Sunday that lasted 1 1/2 hours “as it went over a 150-page document on a future model, among other things.” McIlroy said, “I don’t have a vote so I don’t have I guess a meaningful say in what happens in the future, but at least I feel like I can be helpful on that committee. And that was sort of a compromise for I guess not getting a board seat” (AP, 5/9).
Start your morning with Buzzcast with Austin Karp: A very merry NFL Christmas on Netflix? The Braves and F1 deliver for Liberty Media investors; the WNBA heads to Toronto; and Zelle gets in on team sports sponsorship.
On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp chats with SBJ NBA writer Tom Friend about the pending NBA media Deal. Cindy Brunson of NBC and Phoenix Mercury is our Big Get this week. The sports broadcasting pioneer talks the upcoming WNBA season. Later in the show, SBJ media writer Mollie Cahillane gets us set for the upcoming network upfronts.
SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate’s Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.
