LIV Golf could secure coveted broadcast rights with FOX in an unusual airtime purchase agreement with the network, Golfweek reported.
LIV’s 54-hole events have been streamed on YouTube and on the new tour’s website.
Commissioner Greg Norman said LIV had talks with multiple networks about bringing LIV events to an expanded audience. Five events have been played this year and there are three more on the schedule, with a $50 million season finale in Miami in October.
Most sports broadcasting rights deals are done in reverse of this one: The network pays for the rights to air events. For example, the Big Ten Conference secured a new rights deal with multiple networks that could potentially pay $7 billion over seven years starting next summer.
The PGA Tour media rights deal, which includes international rights, is worth $6.3 billion over nine years.
But LIV will reportedly pay FOX as if it were an advertiser and also be responsible for production and ad sales during the events, chores that typically are owned by the network.
Because LIV is financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, criticism from fans and competing players has been constant.
More than 20 former PGA Tour players, including prominent names such as Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and 2022 Open Championship winner Cam Smith of Australia, signed massive contracts to play on the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
–Field Level Media