Greg Norman recently offered a striking comparison between cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and what he believes is possible for golf.

Greg Norman said, "Look what Kerry Packer did with cricket." Packer has revolutionized cricket, like day-night games, colored clothes, and better pay. He is the mastermind behind World Series Cricket.

Norman also added, "And how athletes get some generational wealth opportunities, and LIV for golf." Though there is always a kind of war that goes on between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, as Norman explained earlier. LIV Golf gave opportunities outside the golf course to explore.

Like Bryson DeChambeau, he is so active on YouTube, earning well, and does whatever he feels like when he is not on the course. Recalling the moment, Norman said, “I just got a call on a team in India. Do you want to buy it?”

Michael, the host at ‘Beyond23 Cricket Podcast,’ interrupted and said, “$2 billion.” Interestingly, the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Lucknow Giants acquired Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant for $2.99 million at the IPL 2025 auction. He was the most expensive player in IPL history.

Norman’s response summed it up simply: “It’s like crazy.” Michael traced the IPL’s rise and added some stats. He said, “I think a team sold for, I guess, $100 million. Same team’s now looking for $2 billion.”

But it’s not always about the money, but more about the growth of players and sport as well. And Norman immediately saw the parallel.

Greg Norman’s Consider Cricket Model as Blueprint

“Exactly the same thing’s happening in golf,” he said. As he revealed that he had recently met with Golf Australia during the Australian Open. For him, cricket’s model is a blueprint. The opportunity of what’s happened in cricket is an example of what can happen in 100% if those investment dollars go in.

For Norman, the vision behind LIV Golf followed that same logic. “So look, it was… it was a labor of love,” he concluded, framing the league not just as a commercial venture. But as an attempt to reshape how investment can fuel an entire sport.

What do you think about the growth of sports with respect to private tournaments like IPL or LIV Golf? Do tell us in the comments. 

Written by

Dolly Bhamrick

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu