LIV in huge boost in PGA Tour battle with tour 'on brink of landing TV deal'

18 January 2023 , 08:36

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LIV Golf are reportedly close to finally securing a TV deal (Image: Getty Images)

The LIV Golf Series is said to be 'on the brink of finally landing a TV deal' in what would be a massive boost in terms of momentum. Since forming last summer, LIV has found itself embroiled in a heated battle with the PGA Tour.

One of the biggest kinks in the breakaway circuit's armour though was its failure to find a TV broadcaster for their maiden campaign. Instead LIV offered out its broadcasts for free, with all eight events streamed live from their Facebook page, YouTube channel and website.

Heading into 2023 there was once again worry that the Saudi-backed series would be without a TV deal in the UK, and were willing to give the broadcast rights out 'for free' - according to the Daily Mail .

With just over a month to go before their season opener in Mexico though, Sports Illustrated and Front Office Sports have reported that LIV Golf are finally set to land a long-awaited USA-based deal. The reports reveal that The CW Network is close to agreeing 'multi-year deal' to cover LIV events.

The acquisition of the Saudi-backed series would be CW Network's first sports coverage agreement, with the broadcaster better known for showing teen dramas and reality shows. A move between CW and LIV was hinted at by one of the latter's analysts last week.

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LIV Golf's events in 2022 were live streamed across social media and their website (AP)

LIV pundit David Feherty hinted at a deal by telling a crowd in Florida during a comedy show in West Palm Beach: "Have you heard of CW?” I might get fired for this, but… ” Former golfer Feherty left NBC last summer to join the LIV setup.

The American admitted that he joined the broadcast team of the Saudi-backed series in 2022 because 'they paid me a lot of money'. The report comes after CEO Greg Norman revealed that he expected the breakaway circuit to nail down a broadcast deal ahead of the 2023 season.

Will you be watching LIV Golf in 2023? Let us know in the comments section below.

Greg Norman wants 2023 to be bigger and better than LIV Golf's maiden campaign (PA)

Speaking in November, he said: "We’re in those discussions right now with a handful of broadcasters. When that takes place, obviously, there’s going to be an acceleration of revenue coming in.

"We have a number of sponsors that are sitting on the side waiting for this. We anticipate them having a broadcast company before we start the 2023 season.”

Joshua Lees