Departing DP World Tour boss provides LIV merger update after missed deadline
Departing DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley has revealed that he expects a deal between the Wentworth-based circuit, the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to be signed off before his official exit in April.
The world of sport was left in shock last June, when the PGA Tour announced plans to work with PIF, with the DP World Tour also involved. The deal was expected to see professional golf reunite, ending the feud between the two tours and their LIV Golf rivals.
They had initially set a deadline of December 31 to sign off the agreement, but with negotiations taking longer than first thought, the target was missed last month.
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In the hours before the deadline the PGA Tour announced that they were remaining in talks with PIF, as well as U.S.-based investor, Strategic Sports Group (SSG). Pelley now expects that after the delays, the deal will finally be completed in the next three months.
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He said on Friday: "We hope to come to a conclusion, and moving that forward is something that is going to be my primary focus over the next three months. I’m definitely staying until April, and I’ve told the PGA Tour and I’ve told representatives from PIF that that is my priority.
Keith Pelley confirmed his departure this week (Getty Images)"I still believe it. That’s the reason we entered into the framework agreement, and we need to move it forward.” Pelley confirmed his departure three months ahead of schedule, with the Canadian returning to his home country as President of Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment (MLSE) this April.
The Tour boss admitted he opted to wait three months to officially change roles to help get golf's framework agreement over the line. “I’m definitely not leaving for three months, and that’s the primary reason," the 60-year-old added.
"I had a conversation with the [DP World Tour] chairman and the nomination committee to stay on to try to bring the framework to a conclusion. Unifying the game is something that I think we all want. If it happens, it would be very gratifying, especially to me.”
Following his departure from the Tour, Pelley will take over at MLSE, who have ownership of a number of Canadian sports franchises including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC and the Toronto Raptors. He will be replaced by current deputy CEO and Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings, who will become the new man in charge of European golf.
On the back of his appointment, Kinnings said: "It has been a privilege to work closely with Keith since I joined the Tour in 2018. He set out to transform the European Tour group, and unquestionably he has done that. It will be a huge honour to take on this role in April and I am immensely proud to have been given this responsibility.
"I will continue to work closely with Keith, Eric and the Board over the next three months to ensure a seamless transition. I look forward to working with our players, staff and partners in the game, as well as our very impressive Executive Leadership and Senior Management Teams, to continue to build upon everything our Tour has achieved in recent years.”
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