Sean McDermott

Me

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@lhgolf5 hold your head up high sir. Experts didn’t even give you a punchers chance and you made it in the Top 10! @rippergc_ @livgolf_league

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@brysondech @flushingitgolf LFG big dawg

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

So true

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@marlenebound Knee high socks

[Flushing It @flushingitgolf]

Executives hit the market with LIV Golf 2.0 last week, framing it as “built by the players, for the players.” It has an emphasis on player ownership, an increased schedule utilising national opens, but reduced purses.

The schedule consists of 10 team events, and 8-10 national opens, with 5 “team majors” and 5 “team signature events”. The “majors” are to be played on 5 continents in line with the most successful events: Australia, South Africa, UK, Hong Kong and Mexico. And the signature events are to be hosted predominantly in the US, around the 4 major championships.

The purse sizes is fluid and dependent on the new investors. From an extensive amount of sourcing, I expect them to be $15 million for 5 events and $10 million for the rest. With a potential weighting that distributes more money at the top of the leaderboard.

A well placed LIV Golf source said:

“We are very confident future purses will be above DP World Tour levels and player take home will be in line with the PGA Tour.”

From sourcing within player ranks, the purse sizes are, obviously, one of the most important factors impacting their commitment. Several players suggested to me if the purses fall in line with the DP World Tour they probably wouldn’t stay. But at $10-$15 million it’s a different proposition. More clarity is needed though on both LIV Golf’s future and the new structure of the PGA Tour to get a better picture.

I’ve spoken directly to at least a dozen players who told me they are fully committed to LIV Golf, and if it exists, they will be there. Bryson DeChambeau is leading that charge and it’s understating it to say he’s committed. He desperately wants LIV Golf to succeed and to build a global golf league that’s built for the 21st century. He’s thinking long term and his enthusiasm is truly infectious.

But a big question is what will Jon Rahm do? It’s difficult to get any real feel of it as he didn’t do media outside press conferences. But he did answer my question on whether he was taking a similar role to Bryson in trying to secure investment and he replied, “I am not, no.” The full quote is on my timeline.

I was told, however, that Jon had encouraged other players to avoid reading the media because of the amount of misinformation. There was also a Legion XIII hospitality area, where the GM, Jeff Koski, was hosting current and potential future partners while offering Imperial Gran Reserva, the Rioja that Jon served at his 2024 Masters Champions Dinner.

The players will be given equity in the league itself or team franchises to encourage them to stay, further committing those taking this option to the success of the league’s future. The majority of the media rights will be returned to the players. Giving them the opportunity to build their own online brands on socials and sign personal partnerships.

The size of the fields is unclear at this stage, but the shotgun start will continue, so the possibility of adding 2 more expansion teams to take the league to 15 franchises (60 players) would likely be top end. I fully expect them to utilise the Asian Tour pathways to fill many of the open spots, especially if players leave. That would help further appease the OWGR concerns and increase the ability to build their own stars. But sources were also confident they could attract established names with potential equity in the league.

Multiple sources indicated that Fox Sports are ready to sign a new deal with LIV Golf as soon as the league is ready. LIV Golf are also working with networks on a potential broadcast model that incorporates TV viewership with YouTube and social media in an attempt to unlock revenue streams across digital IP.

I’ve spent several days going back and forth through notes and transcripts, sourcing information the best I can. I think even in these early stages as they take LIV Golf 2.0 to market this is as fair and accurate of a representation as I can offer.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments 👍

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@NBCSports @peacock please tell me the song for your new #USOPEN golf tv spot that aired multiple times during the Lynx vs Mercury game
It’s such a great 30 second tv spot

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@StoryfulNews Chicago (Garfield Ridge) , IL

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@ryanhallyall @GarfielfRidge IL poor pups

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@StoryfulNews Sure

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@LIVGolfBuff Am I the only one who’s really enjoying @SmashGC play of late especially of @Graeme_McDowell ?

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@Graeme_McDowell is just dialed in this season for @SmashGC
Love it back to back weeks with a #HoleInOne @livgolf_league

[Nick Krasznavolgyi @NickKrasz_Wx]

This is the best perspective I've seen of the Union City, Michigan tornado. Good lord, it just tore up everything in its path, wouldn't be surprised if this was intense (EF3+).

Video taken by Lisa Nicola on Facebook: https://t.co/hFKLky9Cmq

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

Heck yeah @Graeme_McDowell what an #ACE let’s go @SmashGC #LIVGolfHongKong

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

#HongKongGolfClub is absolutely stunning. #BUCKETLIST golf course to golf at. #LIVGolfHongKong

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

Nothing beats @livgolf_league after dark. Watching from Chicago. Let’s go @SmashGC

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

#Rudy has nothing on #AK! This is an inspirational story in real time. 1st 2nd 3rd doesn’t matter welcome back. Great signing @4AcesGC_ @AnthonyKim_Golf. #LIVGolfAdelaide

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

Late night golf action on the tele in the #WindyCity
Let’s go @SmashGC #LivGolf

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@SmashGC making a run at the podium let’s go boys! #LIVGolf #Adelaide

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@Seahawks give #Bobo a catch for 1 yard please 🙏

[Sean McDermott @SeanMcDSTOCK]

@BKoepka gonna be a force to be reckoned with on the @PGATOUR
Let’s go Brooks