Another week, another LIV Golf rumor enters the golf industry.
It has been reported that adidas Golf is one of a number of a brands looking to become the first sponsor to buy a LIV Golf team, which will be valued at $1 billion per four-man team.
While some players have lost certain sponsorship deals for their ties to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series, the majority of golf brands have stood by their athletes heading into next week’s third LIV Golf Bedminster tournament.
But with so much controversy still and likely always surrounding LIV Golf, some brands remain sat on the fence as they wait for others to make the first move.
“It’s just a very weird time right now, we’re not quite sure whether to stick or twist… we’re just going to see how it all plays out for the time being,” one brand told said at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
One brand ready to break from the pack would appear to be adidas Golf, who could be going all in for the 4Aces team led by their main man Dustin Johnson.
“Apparently adidas Golf are planning to buy out players sponsorship deals for a certain team, in particular DJ’s team, as they want to sponsor the whole team in a billion dollar deal,” an insider has reported.
Another insider reported: “I’m hearing adidas Golf is very keen to buy a LIV Golf team, especially with two of their athletes in DJ and Sergio [Garcia] fully committed to LIV Golf and now resigned from the PGA Tour.”
Should the rumors be true, then you could have ‘Team adidas Golf’ being represented at LIV Golf tournaments in the future… very much lending itself to a Formula 1 team structure. This is likely something that has been part of Greg Norman’s wider plans for LIV Golf.
The team over at GolfMagic reached out to adidas Golf but they refused to comment on the rumors.
Taking a closer look on social media and it would seem like adidas Golf is not the only brand preparing for such a move.
Team Srixon, captained by Hideki Matsuyama is another strong rumour doing the rounds #LIVGolf
— LIV Golf Latest (@LIVGolfLatest) July 20, 2022
A tweet from LIV Golf Latest reads: “I have been told that AT&T could be the first sponsor to buy a LIV team, valued at $1 billion per 4 man team. Adidas is another name – the rumor is that they are currently out clothing sponsors to be the face of a specific team.”
They also tweet: “Team Srixon, captained by Hideki Matsuyama is another strong rumor doing the rounds.”
Former Masters champion Matsuyama has been strongly linked with a move to LIV Golf but he remains on the PGA Tour, at least for now.
It seems like we cannot go 24 hours without receiving a fresh LIV Golf rumor so let’s just see what’s in store over the coming weeks and months.
What do you make of this potential team brand takeover rumor? Are you a fan of LIV Golf or do you think it’s an absolute waste of time? Share your thoughts and comments below.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
I am absolutely disgusted by the number of golfers and now sponsors that are willing to jump into bed with a murderous society as the Saudi’s. I will drop my association with A T & T if they sponsor a team. I will also stop buying products from the likes of Addidas, Taylormade or Titleist if they continue to sponsor these greedy so called professional golfers. Most of them are now has been including people like announcer David Ferety who just agreed to do broadcasts for LIV Golf. I only hope that an awful lot of people will boycott these brands as well.
My thinking also…
First, and this obviously has to change or LIV will self destruct, is can anyone name the last LIV event or who even placed 1-2-3? They had 100,000 viewers which even the Peuta Rican Open tripled. The guys leaving the PGA save DJ and Cam are either washed up injured or running on fumes. LIV will be lucky to get more viewers than the Champions Tour. I love the old guys but let’s face it in any athletic sport performance is why you watch. Now let’s talk about something not yet discussed. Will the classic golf tracks invite these guys and their Saudi overlords on their esteemed grounds? Can you imagine Shinnecock or Augusta or Oakmont hosting an LIV? Trump is hosting at Bedminster because he got dumped by the PGA. But Bedminster ain’t Baltusrol and if the golf fans of the world prefer seeing has-been golf played on some never heard track instead of Riviera I think you’re crazy. And finally if anyone thinks the viewers who watched the Open on St Andrew’s tuned in to see Cam Smith or DJ you’re crazy. We watch the tournament. The same guys play the following weeks after the majors yet viewership drops biglie. This will happen with LIV. If the majors get behind the PGA and lock out the LIV players LIV dies. We want to see great golf played on great courses for meaningful reasons. Lastly, if anyone thinks these LIV guys are working harder to improve their games after getting 100 million dollars I’ve got a bridge in Ukraine for sale.
Amen , plus who wants to watch a scramble anyways. I can go to my local mom and pop run course and watch the old guys play every morning. WooHoo
Amen to that…
Every wind bag against everyone & everything LIV Golf get over yourselves. Some people do watch & enjoy “GOLF” even if it’s not the PGA Tour. Believe it or Not history and elite courses will not change that!