Among the few certainties golf fans have been able to count on over the last two years are these:
There’s no end in sight for the PGA Tour-PIF negotiations.
Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has not grown any fondness for LIV Golf.
The latest example of these two truths came with last week’s announcement that LIV and Fox had come to an agreement to broadcast LIV events on TV.
The Sports Business Journal uncovered LIV Golf’s new multiyear agreement which shows a major milestone for the league. This agreement goes against the goals of PGA Tour members who want the PIF deal to push LIV Golf out of existence.
Despite ongoing negotiations LIV Golf continues to operate strongly.
Chamblee spotted an important change in LIV’s extended dispute with the PGA Tour and posted his point of view on X.
“Looking forward to the specific financials,” Chamblee wrote about the LIV-FOX deal on X, continuing, “did Fox pay a rights fee or was this another time buy.”
Chamblee explained that television networks follow conventional payment methods when licensing sports broadcast rights. Broadcast TV networks must pay major licensing costs to gain access to air league events.
LIV did not receive a traditional rights fee during its earlier TV collaboration with the CW. The organizations created a term that shared profits between them rather than paying a direct fee.
The new LIV-Fox Sports partnership reportedly includes Fox Sports’ payment of a rights fee.
An X user received criticism from Chamblee for his consistent negative comments about LIV.When asked about his stance on LIV an X user questioned Chamblee’s impartiality. Chamblee explained he speaks his honest thoughts because he receives no LIV Golf payment to grant favorable reviews. The money comes from the sewer and the product stinks worse than the source.”
LIV Golf begins its 2025 schedule with an event in Saudi Arabia from February 7 to February 12.