LIV Golf have announced Scott O’Neil as new Chief Executive Officer of the company.
O’Neil will drive the strategic vision, business operations, and global growth for the league, its 13 teams and roster of world-class golfers, and its efforts to drive positive impact. Greg Norman, who has been instrumental to the launch of LIV Golf as its first CEO and Commissioner, will hand off day-to-day management, but will remain involved with LIV Golf.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing he will capitalize on everything that has been accomplished over the past three years,” said LIV Golf Board Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. “Scott has the passion, the tenacity, and the vision to continue leveraging LIV Golf’s position as a pre-eminent, global sports and entertainment company and to lead our amazing teams and players for years to come.”
“When we launched LIV Golf, there was no one that made more sense to lead the organization other than Greg Norman. I thank him for everything he has done to establish, launch and grow our league. He has been instrumental to LIV’s success.”
Prior to being named CEO of LIV Golf, O’Neil served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, responsible for overseeing the business operations and global growth across its 140+ attractions in 23 countries. Before Merlin, O’Neil served as CEO for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a portfolio of professional sports, entertainment, and investment properties, where he oversaw more than $2 billion of growth in enterprise value centered on bringing innovation to the industry.
“The opportunity to lead a global sports league is a dream come true. I am grateful and humbly thank the members of the LIV Golf Board of Directors and its Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan for believing in my strategic vision, growth plan, and passion for this league,” said O’Neil. “LIV Golf is the world’s first global golf league and, with the best teams and players competing around the world, it represents sports entertainment at the highest level.
“What LIV Golf has achieved in just three years is remarkable – the game has been infused with a long overdue bolt of energy and innovation with the team model, players have increased freedom and rights, fans are getting the access they have always wanted, and the game has been brought to new markets that have been desperate for elite golf for decades.
“There has never been a better time to unlock real financial investment, bring team golf and innovation to the forefront, drastically lower the fan age demographic, and put fan experience and fun at the center of everything we do. LIV Golf represents the future of the sport and will ensure the future of the golf ecosystem for years to come.”
Norman has welcomed O’Neil as the new CEO and believes he is the right person to continue developing and enhancing the Saudi-backed tour.
“First and foremost, congratulations to Scott,” Norman said. “He is exactly the type of experienced professional who understands the unique and powerful combination of entertainment and sports that LIV Golf exemplifies. The league will be in very good hands with him at the helm.”