Women's LIV Golf League 'In The Forefront Of My Mind' - Greg Norman
Norman insists that LIV Golf could turn its attention to the women's game
![Greg Norman at the second LIV Golf Invitational Series event in Portland, Oregon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MGqtcud52PkhkqufxBpkHE-415-80.jpg)
LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman has insisted that a women's golf league is in the "forefront of my mind" as the breakaway venture continues to earmark areas for growth.
Speaking to the Herald and The Age, the Australian said: "That’s always been in the forefront of my mind to be honest with you because I have been a staunch proponent of them.
"I’ve played with a lot of LPGA players over the years and I think their value has risen recently, there’s no question about it. If there’s an opportunity for us to have an open conversation and dialogue with women, I’m very much at the forefront of that."
Earlier this year, LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan hinted that she would engage with LIV Golf if it can help promote the women’s game. "I would engage in a conversation if it would achieve our aim of promoting women’s golf but there needs to be input from players and sponsors. There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf," she said.
Whilst the enormous financial investment of the Saudi-backed organisation could raise the profile, and purses, of the women’s game, it is not without controversy, which perhaps explains Marcoux Samaan's wariness at striking a deal with the Greg Norman-fronted group.
The immediate focus for Norman however, is the launch of the 2023 Golf League: "Right now to be honest with you, I’m completely locked and loaded with what we’re doing because we’re launching the [men’s] league in 2023, and we’ve got a lot of work to do to get that up and running."
The LIV Golf Series will rebrand to the LIV Golf League from 2023, with 48 players and 12 established team franchises competing in an expanded 14-tournament schedule – and an enormous $405m total prize purse, a huge increase on the $225m on offer for this year’s eight-tournament Series.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
One of its priorities will be to formalise television broadcasting rights, with numerous reports suggesting a deal with Fox Sports 1 is nearing. The deal will purportedly see LIV Golf purchase airtime from the media giant and in turn sell its own commercial asset to make the deal financially viable.
The former World No.1 played down the reports, asking that "no one should draw any conclusions about potential media rights given that we are still in the middle of negotiations with several outlets." He added: "We’re in discussions right now and we have a lot of NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] signed by broadcasters."
Should an agreement between LIV Golf and Fox Sports be reached, it would be somewhat of a full circle for the venture's CEO and Commissioner. Norman was with the media company as their Lead Golf Analyst for a little over a year before they parted ways in 2015.
James joined Golf Monthly having previously written for other digital outlets. He is obsessed with all areas of the game – from tournament golf, to history, equipment, technique and travel. He is also an avid collector of memorabilia; with items from the likes of Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods, Francis Ouimet, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Adam Scott and Ernie Els. As well as writing for Golf Monthly, James’ golfing highlight is fist bumping Phil Mickelson on his way to winning the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013. James grew up on the east coast of England and is the third generation of his golfing family. He now resides in Leeds and is a member of Cobble Hall Golf Club with a handicap index of 1.7. His favourite films are The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tin Cup.
-
Which LIV Golfers Played In The Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The men’s field of 60 featured 14 players who would later sign for LIV Golf – here are the details on who they are and how they performed
By Mike Hall Published
-
The 5 LIV Golfers In Contention For The $18m Individual Title
With tournaments running out, there are still a handful of players in contention for the $18m individual title - here are the details
By Mike Hall Published
-
The 6 Golfers Who Won Medals In The Tokyo 2020 Olympics
After returning to the Olympics in 2016, golf was again in the schedule for the 2020 Tokyo Games – here are the players who won the medals
By Mike Hall Published
-
When Are The Solheim Cup Teams Confirmed?
The Solheim Cup takes place on US soil in September, with qualification for both sides ongoing ahead of the biennial contest
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
What Golfers Get For Winning Gold At The Olympics
From a piece of the Eiffel Tower to Major exemptions, here's what golfers get when they win a gold medal at Paris 2024...
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Listen To The Official Anthem Of The AIG Women’s Open
'Rising Up' has been crafted to drive new energy to the sport and give the AIG Women's Open a memorable sound for years to come
By Alison Root Published
-
How To Watch The Olympic Golf Events At Paris 2024
Find out how to watch a star-studded men's and women's Olympic Golf event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in both the USA and UK
By Paul Higham Published
-
CPKC Women’s Open Prize Money Payout 2024
Many of the world’s best are competing at the Canada event, including defending champion Megan Khang
By Mike Hall Published
-
Star Wars Fan Ayaka Furue Takes Inspiration From Iconic Quote To Snatch Evian Championship Victory Via Late Burst
The Japanese golfer went five under through her final five holes to snatch the win away from her rivals at Evian Resort - all while thinking about six influential words...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Amundi Evian Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
The penultimate women's Major of the 2024 season offers up its highest-ever prize purse - almost double what it was in 2019
By Jonny Leighfield Published