Norman Clarifies Claim Woods Was Offered $700m-$800m To Join LIV Golf

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman clarifies the terms that would have seen Woods earn the huge sum

Greg Norman at the second LIV Golf Invitational Series event in Portland, Oregon
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mike Hall
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Greg Norman has clarified comments he made last month suggesting Tiger Woods had been offered between $700m and $800m to join LIV Golf.

Speaking to Tucker Carlson Tonight during the third LIV Golf Invitational Series event at Bedminster last month, Norman said of the rumour Woods had turned down an offer of $700-$800m to join the start-up: “That number was out there before I became CEO. So that number’s been out there, yes. And look, Tiger’s a needle-mover, right? So, of course you got to look at the best of the best, you know. So they had originally approached Tiger before I became CEO, so yes, that number is somewhere in that neighbourhood.”

Video: What Is LIV Golf?

However, Norman has now confirmed that while the reported amount of money Woods could have earned with LIV Golf is accurate, it wouldn’t have been paid to him upfront. Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Norman said: “To be honest, we don’t comment on any past or current offers to any players, but obviously the media picks up on information, tidbits, white noise, and they run with it.

“I just want to make sure for clarification here, the numbers that were thrown out were inclusive of future franchise value. And so if you take a look at this number that’s being thrown out there, the generational wealth that this franchise opportunity has for the individual players is incredible. That’s how it is. It’s not the cash value. We never offered that cash value to Tiger Woods. That’s the reality of it.”

Norman’s comments come close to a month after it was revealed that a new $405m LIV Golf League would begin in 2023. As well as promising to increase the number of tournaments from eight to 14, the idea of team franchises was also revealed. At the time, Norman said: “Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement to fans from all corners of the world, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with.” 

With team franchises on the horizon, Norman is clearly keen to push their financial appeal as the Saudi-backed venture grows – albeit without the legendary 15-time Major winner.

Mike Hall
Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.

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