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· Posted on
February 21, 2024

PGA and LIV Golf announce merger in a very unexpected matrimony - so it seems like any old foes can make good

After a couple of years of tension, LIV and PGA will merge to 'unify the sport' and expand its reach.

What's the key learning?

  • LIV has been heavily criticised for sports-washing, because of their human rights record.
  • Sports washing is the practice of countries or companies using sports sponsorships or partnerships to improve their public image.
  • By linking themselves to a sporting team event, countries or companies hope to improve their reputation - or at the very least, distract attention from unethical conduct.

👉 Background: The PGA Tour, is the OG professional golf tour that was founded in 1929. Think: Tiger Woods, Rory Mcilroy and Vijay Singh. Meanwhile, LIV Golf was launched in 2022 with the plan to rival the PGA Tour and knick some of its leading players.

👉 What happened: At the time, the PGA Tour Commissioner warned that all defecting players would be suspended from competing in the PGA. But now, after a couple of years of tension, LIV and PGA will merge to 'unify the sport' and expand its reach.

👉 What else: LIV has been heavily criticised for sports-washing, because of their human rights record. But despite the outrage, the deal landed.

What's the key learning?

💡 Sports washing is the practice of countries or companies using sports sponsorships or partnerships to improve their public image.

💡By linking themselves to a sporting team event, countries or companies hope to improve their reputation - or at the very least, distract attention from unethical conduct:

  • Like when Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup
  • Or when the Russian oligarchs purchased English Premier League clubs

💡But, as we've seen in previous cases, it's clear that money and sports funding often overrides moral concerns in the sporting world.

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