How Greg Norman got Cameron Smith to defect to LIV as CEO says Aussie taxpayers could fund event
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Greg Norman has revealed that he has used the lure of a 25 percent stake in a LIV Golf franchise to convince Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman to join the Rebel series, which could receive taxpayer money in an effort to bring it Down. To lure under.
Norman has revealed the tour’s business model, which sees Smith and Leishman lead an Australian team to compete in a global competition next year.
Smith was reportedly paid $140 million to quit the PGA Tour and sign with LIV Golf, but the deal also included giving the 29-year-old and Leishman the keys to a franchise, which Norman wants them to go to in Australia. commercialize.
Greg Norman (pictured at the LIV Golf Invitational in Boston) has revealed that part of Cam Smith’s deal involves running the LIV franchise in Australia
Cameron Smith (pictured at the LIV Golf Invitational in Boston) faces heavy criticism for dropping the PGA Tour in favor of LIV Golf’s $140 million proposal
“You have to think about it from Cam’s perspective, he completely understood one thing that other people struggle to understand: the value that LIV Golf brings, and that new value is the franchise,” Norman told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Cam knows about it, but he’s probably a little too young to understand what Kerry Packer was doing in cricket. He did what he did for the players, creating teams and night cricket… see where it evolved from there with the IPL. The value of those teams in India is incredible. That is the new value we bring.
‘[Smith] sees the market that Australia presents and the market that, frankly, has been starved by high quality players and new value to the game of golf.
“The Presidents Cup comes in there once every seven to ten years, drains the economy and then disappears.”
Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman, along with other LIV players including Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, will operate one of 12 franchises in a Formula 1 type concept by 2023
Smith and Leishman, along with other LIV players including Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, will operate one of 12 franchises in a Formula 1 type concept that will run from 2023.
Norman said the four-player teams would wear the same uniforms and the captains would choose new names for their squads.
It has also been revealed that Australian governments are putting taxpayer money on the table to lure the Saudi-backed league, with Norman already holding talks with ministers in his search for a course to host an event.
Norman says Smith (pictured) agrees with him about the huge opportunity for LIV in Australia, which he says has been starved by quality golfing talent
When Norman was asked if governments offered money to lure a tournament, the LIV Golf Chief Executive was blunt.
“Yes, there have certainly been conversations. Negotiations are likely to start here in the coming week,” he explained.
“There’s been a lot of interest from state governments to golf clubs.”
From 2023, LIV will host a 14-event global tour, with courses in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria expected to be in the running to host an Australian event.
Norman has revealed that he has been meeting with state governments to find a location in Australia. He says he expects to close a deal this month
Norman won’t reveal which ministers he’s spoken to, but he will confirm that he’s attended at least two dozen courses to explore potential sites – and so far has only been turned down by Royal Sydney.
“We’ve been to all the major states that love to host sporting events,” he said.
‘The interest in Australia is enormous.’
Norman expects to close a deal this month and has plans to move the tournament every few years so that more fans can attend.
From 2023, LIV will host a global tour of 14 events, with courses in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria expected to be in the running to host the Australian event
He dismissed the label that his Rebel series is a “breakaway” competition, stating that “from day one it was always about being inclusive.”
“The idea that we are trying to destroy tours is not true. The PGA Tour is trying to destroy us, it’s that simple. But the PGA Tour hasn’t sat down and talked to myself or any of my investors.”