LIV Golf’s chief operating officer and president Atul Khosla has resigned from the Saudi-backed golf league ahead of 2023, according to the New York Times.
The news was confirmed by LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman in a statement on Friday, just several days after players and agents were privately updated on Khosla’s decision.
Norman said:
“At the conclusion of LIV’s successful inaugural season, Atul Khosla decided to move on.
“We respect AK and his personal decision.”
No reason has yet been given for Khosla’s shock departure.
It marks the second key figure to leave LIV Golf in 2022, as Sean Bratches, who joined them from F1, resigned earlier in the year.
LIV Golf COO Atul Khosla has resigned.
“Atul Khosla decided to move on,” LIV commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement Friday. “We respect AK and his personal decision.”
Khosla had been described as “integral” to the venture and “the brains of the operation.” pic.twitter.com/wbrD4EQ4VJ
— Sportico (@Sportico) December 16, 2022
Khosla was initially hired by LIV Golf in December 2021 from NFL side Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he held the title of chief operating development and brand officer.
When he took the role of COO at LIV Golf, Norman at the time said:
“The strategic experience Atul Khosla brings from his recent leadership positions at a major sports franchise will enable us to execute on our vision of holistically improving and elevating the game of golf around the world.
“His appointment is yet another example of our dedication to bringing best-in-class talent to help us deliver our mission of growing the game of golf.”
But less than 12 months into his role, he has decided to call time on the controversial golf circuit that is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
While Norman has seen significant pressure placed on his own position as LIV Golf CEO, multiple reports have suggested Khosla was seen as the most integral figure in helping the rebel series fashion a way forward.
Khosla recently told how he was “optimistic” about LIV Golf receiving Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
But that has still not happened as we come to the end of the year.
Khosla also revealed how LIV Golf has “cleared time” with networks for potential broadcasts in 2023.
But again, we are none the wiser on that front, either.
It would seem most major TV networks don’t want to engage with LIV Golf, at least right now. The same applies with sponsors.
While Norman and co. have declared LIV Golf has proven something of a success in its inaugural season, the business model is currently on track to lose $355 million before interest and taxes by 2028, according to a report in The Times.
This is as a direct result of failing to attract as many of the world’s best players as they were intending to sign from the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf managed to sign the likes of major champions Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, and of course Phil Mickelson who got this thing chugging along in first place at the start of the year.
But they are many star names that have shown little to no interest.
In a statement to The Times last week, Jonathan Grella, a LIV spokesperson, said that it “has repeatedly made clear that our stakeholders take a long-term approach to our business model.”
Grella added: “Despite the many obstacles put in our path by the PGA Tour, we’re delighted with the success of our beta test year, and we’re confident that over the next few seasons, the remaining pieces of our business model will come to fruition as planned.
“Our business plan is built upon a path to profitability. We have a nice, long runway and we’re taking off.”
Norman and Governor of the PIF Yasir Al-Rumayyan were named on a list of the ‘Most Influential: Dealmakers & Disrupters’ by Sports Business Journal earlier this week. Other names on this list included tennis legend Serena Williams, Chelsea Football Club owner Todd Boehly, NBA icon Lebron James and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin.
LIV Golf has now confirmed the process is already underway for Khosla’s replacement ahead of an extended 14-tournament schedule in 2023.
Norman added: “LIV’s most trusted partners are supporting our structural transition and introduction of exciting new developments.”
Norman earlier today told bunker that he has been attempting to lure Justin Thomas to LIV Golf ahead of 2023.
He’s also kept the door open for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, despite both of them recently urging Norman to step down from his own role.
As it stands, LIV Golf has yet to confirm a single new signing from the PGA Tour ahead of its second season.
It is understood LIV Golf was banking on at least seven new players coming through the door next year.
An early look at the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule was leaked to the media earlier this week.
Despite hoping to take LIV Golf around the world, it is understood nine of the 14 tournaments in 2023 will be staged in the United States.
England, Spain, Singapore, Australia and Mexico will then pick up the remainder.
Tensions between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour have further mounted this week.
In a recent court filing, LIV Golf has now accused the PGA Tour of potentially funding protests by 9/11 groups to spread anti-Saudi attitudes “in an effort to maintain its unlawful monopoly.”
The PGA Tour has also accused the governor of Saudi Arabia’s PIF of having an outsize role in managing an operation that has attracted a handful of the world’s best players.
There might be talk among the players for “compromise” between both global Tours, but it would seem neither those upstairs at the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are willing to let that happen right now.
If you thought 2022 was an eventful year for golf, just wait until 2023.
We may have seen nothing yet.
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