"Not One Person Told Me I Was Crazy": Greg Norman Once Reflected on His Time as LIV Golf CEO
BEDMINSTER, NJ - JULY 31: Greg Norman CEO/Commissioner of LIV Golf at the 16th tee during the 3rd round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series Bedminster on July 31, 2022 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUL 31 LIV Golf Invitational Series Bedminster Icon22073175383
BEDMINSTER, NJ - JULY 31: Greg Norman CEO/Commissioner of LIV Golf at the 16th tee during the 3rd round of the LIV Golf Invitational Series Bedminster on July 31, 2022 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUL 31 LIV Golf Invitational Series Bedminster Icon22073175383
Greg Norman joined LIV Golf after being named the founding CEO of LIV Golf Investments in October 2021. From there, he became the public face of the league and served as CEO and commissioner until January 2025.
He appeared on Mark Bouris’ podcast on Dec. 12, where he discussed his experience during his time with LIV Golf.
Norman said LIV has benefited golf across tours and delivered economic impact for host cities, pointing to Adelaide as an example. He also claimed the public response to LIV has been positive.
Norman said, “In four, four and a half years now that I’ve been involved, or was involved, with LIV, not one person told me I was crazy. Not one.”
Golf: LIV Golf Chicago - Final Round Sep 24, 2023 Sugar Grove, Illinois, USA Greg Norman watches the action on the 11th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Chicago golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. Sugar Grove Rich Harvest Farms Illinois USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJamiexSabaux 20230924_lbm_qt0_035
Golf: LIV Golf Chicago - Final Round Sep 24, 2023 Sugar Grove, Illinois, USA Greg Norman watches the action on the 11th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Chicago golf tournament at Rich Harvest Farms. Sugar Grove Rich Harvest Farms Illinois USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJamiexSabaux 20230924_lbm_qt0_035
The LIV Golf Adelaide event in 2025 generated approximately $80 million in economic activity for South Australia and drew thousands of international and interstate visitors.
The impact also supports tourism infrastructure and jobs in host communities.
Norman views one of his key achievements as giving players more choice in where they compete and helping them build long-term wealth, a goal he has supported since the 1990s.
Greg Norman explains how LIV Golf benefits players
Norman shared that two people approached him to thank him for what he did with LIV and for golf. He also said that despite years of traveling, no one has ever confronted him in public to insult him or accuse him of destroying the game.
Norman said LIV operates differently because it covers most of the costs when it brings an event to a city.
He explained that LIV controls the players, production, and marketing, which means the financial burden is not placed on a local institution or government.
“LIV owns the players. LIV owns the production. LIV owns the marketing. LIV owns this. LIV owns that. So you’re a plug-and-play,” Norman said during the podcast.
Norman has long supported player “free agency.” He believes golfers were not maximizing their earning potential under the traditional PGA Tour model.
LIV Golf introduced guaranteed contracts and larger prize purses. In his view, it helped players build long-term wealth.
What do you think, did LIV Golf help players, or did it hurt the sport? Drop your take in the comments.
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu