While nearly every PGA Tour player was not thrilled with the news of the recent merger with rival LIV Golf, they are all set to gain a unique benefit from the shocking deal.
Earlier this week, the golf world was turned on its head when the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced that they had agreed to a merger with Saudi Arabian-backed upstart league LIV Golf. The three tours had been locked in a bitter battle over the last two years with the two established leagues looking to stunt the growth of the newcomers that are propped up by a government with a horrible human rights record.
Related: 5 big takeaways from the PGA & LIV Golf merger, including how the players feel
For players that were banned from competing in the PGA or DP tours after joining LIV, the news was met with resounding support and excitement. However, when it came to Tour talent, the disappointment and frustration with the merger were universal.
While some stars did not want to play for LIV over moral concerns due to their connections to the Saudis, many others chose to stick with the PGA Tour out of loyalty since the legendary league was endangered by LIV and the billions of dollars backing them.
It has been reported over the last couple of years that quite a few turned down huge six-figure signing bonuses to play exclusively for the PGA. Making it understandable that their loyalty, in the end, seemed to be wasted and the players that did take the money will now be allowed to return to the PGA and DP. Well, it seems like those loyalists will be rewarded after all.
PGA Tour players to get shares in the company overseeing three pro golf tours
On Friday, ESPN reported that the PGA Tour loyalists are expected to receive equity shares in the new company that is set to be formed to oversee the PGA, DP, and LIV following the completion of the merger.
PGA Tour policy board member Jimmy Dunne was key in the merger negotiations and informed the outlet directly on the shares that will be given to the players.
“The new [company] would grow, and the [PGA Tour] players would get a piece of equity that would enhance and increase in value as time went on,” Dunne told ESPN. “There would have to be some kind of formulaic decision on how to do that. It would be a process to determine what would be a fair mechanism that would be really beneficial to our players.”
The name of the for-profit corporation that will oversee the three tours has yet to be named or created, so players won’t be seeing that payoff any time soon. However, considering the money the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund — which funded LIV — is expected to funnel into the corporation to further grow the sport, that equity will pay off for decades to come for those golfers.