|
Pelley, who will be replaced by the current
European Tour Deputy CEO and Executive Director Guy Kinnings on
April 2, has been advocating for a deal between the PGA Tour and
LIV, backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
He told The Times newspaper that he remains "convinced the game
will be unified".
"Whether it be in six months, a year, two years or 10 years, I
think people are coming to the realisation that a collective
product is in the best interest of global golf," Pelley said.
"It is the only way growth and prize funds continue at this
level. It is inevitable."
Pelley, who is highly unlikely to witness the deal before his
exit, moves into the role of President and CEO of MLSE, whose
brands include the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA team
Toronto Raptors.
"Would I love to stay and see it through? Yes. But you can't
control timing," he added.
Oil-rich Saudi Arabia divided the world of golf when it launched
LIV Golf in 2022.
Last June, the PGA Tour, PIF and Europe-based DP World Tour
announced a framework agreement to house their commercial
operations in a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises
and tensions between the players began to cool.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
