LIV CEO Greg Norman hits back at journalist Brandel Chamblee criticizing low ratings
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has responded to one of Brandel Chamblee's recent criticisms. The golf journalist has been staunchly anti-LIV for a very long time, and he recently questioned the low TV ratings for LIV events.
Norman has now issued a response to the criticism, saying during the LIV Golf Team Championship event in Dallas:
“No matter where we’ve gone in the world, we’ve seen our audience space go up. We’re in 450 million households every year, in 190 different countries. So think where we were thirty five events ago, to where we are today, thirty five weeks into it."
The CEO believes "credit should be given where credit is due." He continued, adding that LIV Golf has been a good addition to the golf world.
"We’ve shown to the people, the world, and to the golf ecosystem that we are truly additive to it. And that was important for all of us to get through what went through for a couple of years.”
The tour has fought long and hard to get its events televised, eventually partnering with the CW and launching its own streaming service. Ultimately, the CEO of the tour firmly believes that they've been successful and that people are watching what they do despite what the television ratings might indicate.
Greg Norman laughs off claim Jon Rahm wanted to leave LIV
Greg Norman, understandably so, has been a huge proponent of his tour and its success. From television ratings to the ability to land superstar golfers, Norman truly believes in his tour and what it has been able to accomplish.
Last month, rumors suggested that one of the biggest signings the tour has had, Jon Rahm, might be regretting his decision. The golfer himself shut down the claims, and Norman responded as well.
Via the Daily Mail, he said (in August 2024):
"I read an article yesterday about how Jon is so unhappy here [LIV Golf] and that he wants to give back his money. It's just not true. You speak to Jon's general manager, it's like laughable. I just truly don't get it. I truly don't get the divide."
The report indicated that Rahm would "100%" give back the money he has made at LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour if he could, but Norman called it "laughable." Rahm is currently working on playing in the Ryder Cup despite his membership on LIV.