Report: Fresh details emerge about lucrative LIV Golf player contracts
More details have emerged over the contracts the LIV Golf players have signed, according to this report.
The LIV Golf contracts are shrouded in secrecy, but a report has shed some light on the lucrative deals players such as Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson have signed.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, LIV stars such as the aforementioned Smith, Mickelson and Johnson are tied into extended deals with the breakaway tour.
Earlier in the week it was confirmed that LIV Golf had struck a six-year deal with Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, which gave the impression that those behind-the-scenes have the confidence the tour will be around until at least 2028.
LIV supremo Greg Norman previously was adamant that the tour's primary backer - the PIF - do want a return on their investment eventually.
Given that they have reportedly already ploughed $2bn into the venture - with millions of dollars reportedly going missing or unaccounted for - breaking even at this point would be a remarkable achievement.
To do this, LIV believe that the franchise element really has to take off.
According to the Herald, LIV's highest-earners have been presented business proposals to build their own:
- Training facilities
- Golf courses
- Stadiums
Bubba Watson previously alluded to these plans when he spoke to the media before 18 LIV players descended upon Augusta National for The Masters.
He said:
What do we know about the LIV Golf contracts?
Court documents in February revealed some limited information about the contracts some LIV players have signed.
Last August, some extracts of a draft contract were unveiled stating:
- Players are supposed to wear LIV apparel, even when playing in non-LIV events
- Players are instructed to refrain from giving interviews without approval
- Players agree to assist in recruiting other players to LIV, when requested
- Players need approval for most of the logos they wear and branded products, such as coffee mugs that they use at events
- Players are awarded a $1million bonus for winning any of golf's four major championships
There is also a penalty clause written into the contracts - read more about that here.
Then in February, more details were revealed which included:
- Players must play in every LIV event as a fundamental condition of their contract, and LIV retains "sole discretion" in the number, location, or dates of events
- Players grant LIV an *exclusive*, perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to exhibit, exploit […] and otherwise use players' identification in connection with any promo activities, apparel, and all content created by LIV during the term of their contracts.
- Players must wear LIV team apparel in LIV events, non-LIV tournaments, and other events in which they must participate
- Players must agree they will not enter into any "conflicting contract".
- Players are required to use their social media platforms to promote LIV.
- Players are obligated to make required appearances including multiple sponsorship activations, receptions, meet and greets, and appearances at each team's draft event.
More stipulations:
- Players must lend their likenesses to content creation, including photoshoots/video content, participate in a mini-series documentary series, and agree to their inclusion in LIV marketing materials.
- Players are prohibited from providing exclusive interviews with or appearances in or on any media or social media in relation to any LIV activities without first obtaining LIV or team operator approval.
- Players are required to participate in and assist LIV with meetings, negotiations and/or other activities with corporate sponsors, including team promotional activities and league activities
- At LIV's request, players must introduce LIV representatives to the player's existing or prior sponsors to facilitate sponsorship discussions for LIV and other LIV Players.
- Players must not make statements or commit acts in public forums that are: false, defamatory, slanderous, or that may adversely affect the reputation or public image of any "relevant person." Relevant persons includes LIV shareholders, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
