"Announcement: LIV Golf to Replace Greg Norman with Scott O'Neil"
LIV Golf is set to replace their current CEO and commissioner, Greg Norman, with former NHL and NBA executive, Scott O'Neil, according to a report from ESPN on Wednesday.
A representative for LIV Golf declined to comment when approached by ESPN.
Norman, who is 69 years old, recently revealed in an interview with Sports Illustrated that his contract with LIV Golf is set to expire in August of 2025. He played a key role in the launch of the breakaway golf circuit, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), in October of 2021.
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During Norman's tenure, LIV Golf successfully completed its third season in 2024. The allure of massive prize pools and nine-figure contracts has attracted top players such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Cameron Smith away from the PGA Tour.
O'Neil most recently held the position of CEO at Merlin Entertainments Group, a company that operates amusement parks and resorts. Merlin announced on Wednesday that O'Neil will be leaving to pursue "another opportunity."
Prior to his time at Merlin, O'Neil was the CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers starting in 2013. He also served as the CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, overseeing both the Sixers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils. O'Neil has also held positions as president of Madison Square Garden and worked for the NBA.
O'Neil's arrival comes amidst ongoing negotiations for a potential alliance between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour (European tour).
According to the Sports Business Journal, LIV Golf had been actively pursuing O'Neil as a replacement for Norman.
Norman, a 20-time winner on the PGA Tour and two-time winner of The Open Championship in 1986 and 1993, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
