Phil Mickelson, a leading figure in LIV Golf, has suggested that the Saudi breakaway Tour could be moving towards a more digital, streaming-focused future.
The league’s current deal with the CW Network is coming to an end, and it’s reported that LIV Golf is considering significant changes to its broadcasting strategy. This potential shift away from traditional linear television and back to the digital and online sphere comes as some broadcasts have attracted fewer than 200,000 average viewers.
This low viewership has sparked concerns about LIV Golf’s ability to attract and retain an audience. “Our new partner, whoever that is after this year, I think is going to be more focused and centric on digital and streaming,” Mickelson stated.
“Our new partner, because our new partner, whoever that is after this year, I think is going to be more focused and centric there because of the opportunities that will open up,” he continued.
Phil Mickelson’s move to LIV Golf has been hugely lucrative (Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
“They’re in the middle of negotiating viewership relationships and partnerships going for next year. I’m not a part of that, so I don’t really have any great insight for you. I just know that the old-school model is not where LIV Golf is headed,” he concluded, reports the Mirror US.
Phil Mickelson, a star LIV Golf recruit from the PGA Tour, has hinted at retirement due to his current slump in form. The champion golfer, with six majors and 45 PGA Tour wins to his name, mentioned stepping back for younger talent to lead HyFlyers.
“I am realistic with where I’m at,” he remarked. “I’m 54 and I’m putting in the work. I also have a unique opportunity because of the fact that physically I’ve been able to withstand injuries and been able to be in better shape to do something at an age that nobody else has done, but I have not played at the level that I need to.”
“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at level. But I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels.”
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Despite shifting focus to grow the Saudi Tour, Mickelson expressed his desire to keep chasing major victories. “I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years,” he asserted.
“I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of. How I do that, whether it’s internally as a player and so forth, or whether it’s strictly from the outside, I’m going to be intricately involved with the HyFlyers going forward probably the rest of my life, and then my playing career I’ll be realistic where I’m at too.”
