“LIV Golf is almost a total sideshow” — NBC Sports chief makes bold statement on PGA Tour rival’s status

After several negotiations, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have yet to reach an agreement on a reunification. Speaking on the matter, NBC Sports chief Sam Flood took a stand against LIV, saying that the league has become irrelevant as no one is paying attention to it.

Founded in 2021, LIV is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Since its inception, the league has been heavily criticized for disrupting the game of golf. Although several talks have been held about reunification with the PGA Tour, the negotiations have not progressed very far.

In an exclusive with Golf.com, Flood made his feelings about the Saudi-backed league clear. He said:

“The LIV stuff is almost a total sideshow. The reality is, their opportunity was when the tournament happened in Doral [LIV Miami], and they had every name on the leaderboard, and no one paid attention. That to me said the [LIV] product is not relevant in this country.”

LIV Golf Miami was held at the Blue Monster in Trump National Doral Golf Course between April 4 and 6, 2025. It reportedly garnered an average of 603,000 viewers.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open was held within that same period, from April 3 to 6. Per Golf.com, it garnered much higher numbers, with about 2.2 million average viewers and 4 million viewers for the tournament’s final round.

The PGA Tour reportedly rejects reunification offer from LIV Golf

In April, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf reportedly came to another stalemate when the PGA Tour declined a $1.5 billion investment from LIV. According to Golfweek, the Saudi-backed league sent a letter to the PGA Tour outlining several terms for a reunification.

In the letter, LIV requested that it remain a worldwide recognized professional golf league and that its chairman and PIF governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, join the PGA Tour enterprises as its co-chairman.

Despite the attractive $1.5 billion offer attached to LIV's request, the PGA Tour reportedly rejected it because the terms were “unacceptable.”

Notably, during LIV Golf Miami, the LIV CEO, Scott O’Neil, admitted that he would like a deal to be struck if it would benefit the game of golf. He said (via Sports Illustrated):

“If the deal can help grow the game of golf, I’ll jump in with two feet. Do we have to do a deal? No. It would be nice to do a deal, so long as we’re all focused on the same things.

Meanwhile, a month before LIV Golf Miami, the PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monahan, sparked some hope concerning the reunification during a press conference at the Players Championship. He revealed that there’s “ room to integrate important aspects of LIV Golf into the PGA Tour platform" and said that both sides were still doing everything possible to reunite the game.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar