LIV Golf Reportedly Got Turned Down by Tech Giant for Being ‘Too Toxic’

Toxic you say?

LIV Golf is still looking for a TV Deal, one that will help them get their brand of golf on more eyeballs, and at least one tech giant has reportedly turned down the opportunity to work with the Saudi-backed upstart golf league. According to Dan Rapaport, Apple TV has declined an offer to broadcast LIV events due to LIV being “too toxic.” Rapaport goes on to say that LIV may try to work out a deal with FOX, as several of the other major networks are already in partnerships with the PGA Tour.

Well-placed source says Apple TV has turned down the opportunity to broadcast LIV Golf as it is “too toxic.”

Still not clear where LIV will be broadcast in 2023.

FOX makes some sense here—CBS, NBC and ESPN all locked in with the PGA Tour—but FOX ran away from the golf business fast when they had the chance. Perhaps LIV buys time on a network. Or they continue going free DTC on their site/YouTube.

This is all US, btw.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) September 13, 2022

LIV is still without a media rights deal in place in the U.S.

Front Office Sports reported last month that LIV has held discussions with “anybody and everybody” in the major network and streaming worlds. They are believed to be seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 million for an exclusive media rights deal. Currently LIV tournaments are  available via streaming on YouTube, DAZN and Facebook.

The talks have been with “anybody and everybody,” the source said. FOS previously reported that LIV Golf is seeking as much $500 million for global broadcast rights — and those talks have included networks that currently broadcast the PGA Tour.  Paramount, the parent company of CBS, is the latest media giant linked to those conversations, first reported by Sports Business Journal. 

Without a TV Deal, LIV will never get the exposure they so desperately need.

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