So long LIV, it was sort of good to know you.
With private equity firm BC Partners withdrawing its proposed $300 million dollar rescue financing package due to lack of player commitments, LIV is basically on its way to being six feet under.
At the risk of piling on and throwing more dirt on their grave, here are some of the reasons I couldn’t stand to watch LIV Golf on T.V.
Bad Product
I wasn’t necessarily against LIV since I thought the PGA Tour was lazy and needed some competition. That said, the overall product with a 54-hole format, loud music blaring constantly, annoying shill announcers (see below) and limited big name golfers made it the exact opposite of must see TV. While it did garner some global interest, American viewers never warmed to the substandard product.
Stupid Team Golf Concept
The powers that be at LIV and many of the players were incessantly pushing the excitement and drama of team golf. They oversold it as they desperately tried to tap into the excitement created by team golf at the Ryder Cup. Obviously, the most ridiculous quote by an LIV player was offered by Talor Gooch, who said: “I haven’t played a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, but can’t imagine there’s a whole hell of a lot of difference. This was as cool as it gets. We’ve been saying it all week. The energy is just different, it’s awesome.” Arguably, one of the dumbest statements in the history of professional golf. What really drove me crazy though, were the idiotic, childish team names. Some of the more laughable, included The RangeGoats, Fireballs GC and Crushers GC.
Ripping Off F1 Antics
You would have thought with all the Saudi billions that LIV would create a totally original tour brimming with creative ideas. NOT. They ripped off the Formula One Scoreboard, which was oh so confusing for golf, and borrowed the tired champagne celebration for teams at the conclusion of tournaments. They smartly, eventually dropped the F1 style scoreboard for a more traditional broadcast design and at least it made players and scores easier to decipher.
Annoying Homer Announcers
The constant promotion of LIV by its broadcast announcers was a total turn off. Arlo White was serviceable as play-by-play announcer and Jerry Foltz was a solid mainstay at The Golf Channel before taking the big payday at LIV, but David Feherty was just insufferable. Can’t believe they hired him thinking viewers would tune in for the same old schtick. Feherty always seems more interested in desperately trying to come up with zany one-liners than actually analyzing the golf action around him. It’s sad, most of his jokes crash and burn. I realize more than a few people think Feherty is humorous, but I would absolutely hate to be sitting on a long flight with him and have to listen to his boorish act.
Whiny Players
Most of the players just came off as spoiled, rich whiners who couldn’t believe their once adoring fans had abandoned them. From bitter types like Phil Mickelson and Talor Gooch to the ultimate take-the-money-and-run guy Jon Rahm, LIV was a breeding ground for disgruntled golfers. The Rahmster – who would constantly drone on about playing for majors and not money- took the big bag and then gave this totally unbelievable answer on why he made the move: “The team aspect of things is absolutely key. Having that opportunity brought a lot of those feelings back. I’m looking forward to building a team of four strong players.” It’s hilarious and sad that Rahm gave up some prime years for LIV Golf.
