Masters & LIV

[Dilligas]

Augusta National says it won't ban LIV Golf players from 2023 Masters

[JGibson]

Why would they? None of the Majors are going to ban them and the PGAT made a total mess dealing with this.

[BrianL99]

Augusta National says it won't ban LIV Golf players from 2023 Masters

That was a no brainer.

The test will come the next year, when LIV Players don't have high enough OWGR Ranking to Qualify.

[tophcfa]

Good, the best players in the world should be playing in the majors regardless of what tour they play.

[villager7591]

The world ranking points will eventually phase out all EXCEPT prior champions... LIV tournaments don't get world ranking points.

[retiredguy123]

It makes no sense to divide the best golfers into two tours. They will lose spectators and sponsors.

[Laker14]

My interest in professional golf has gone from barely measurable to non-existent, thanks to this fractioning of the talent. I'll probably still watch the Masters, but beyond that? pffft...

[dtennent]

My interest in professional golf has gone from barely measurable to non-existent, thanks to this fractioning of the talent. I'll probably still watch the Masters, but beyond that? pffft...

To me there is a much larger group of talented players today than in the past. The tour is not dominated by a few players but by several. On any given weekend, any of the top 15 players could win. They all hit the ball accurately for a long distance. This more like when the ABA was established causing the NBA to adjust the game.

[JoMar]

I enjoy watching LIV.....team play, David Feherty and a lighter more accessible tour.

[Billy1]

It makes no sense to divide the best golfers into two tours. They will lose spectators and sponsors.

They divided themselves.

[mike234]

They divided themselves.
they did divide themselves.....now they want to talk, and compromise on something? I know the Arabs have endless money, but how long can they go on without television and sponsors? nothing like playing in Asia these days. as the are doing..........I think they will come back, begging to be reinstated......

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I just put $100 down in Vegas for Rory to win the Masters through someone traveling to Vegas next week. Might give me better / higher odds. .

[Bay Kid]

Great news for golf fans.

[rjn5656]

Disappointed. This will be first year I won't watch

[JGibson]

Friendly reminder-

The PGA is a not for profit tax exempt organization that doesn't pay a dime in taxes yet they hand out billions to multi-millionaires who hit a little white ball.

It's the biggest scam going.

[mike234]

DILLIGAS.....I get it

[golfing eagles]

Friendly reminder-

The PGA is a not for profit tax exempt organization that doesn't pay a dime in taxes yet they hand out billions to multi-millionaires who hit a little white ball.

It's the biggest scam going.

Unlike the multi-millionaires who get paid to throw a ball through a hoop, or hit a ball over a fence, or run a ball over a goal line, or worse yet pump out ghetto rap?

[JGibson]

NBA was never tax-exempt and MLB gave up it's tax exemption in 2007 and the NFL gave up its tax exemption in 2015.

It's time the multi-billion dollar moral high ground PGA gave up their tax exemption.

[golfing eagles]

NBA was never tax-exempt and MLB gave up it's tax exemption in 2007 and the NFL gave up its tax exemption in 2015.

It's time the multi-billion dollar moral high ground PGA gave up their tax exemption.

So, the question is whether the PGA makes a taxable profit????? Unless we hear from their accountant, none of us knows. Remember, all those "billions" are won by players who pay tax. The rest is given to charity or covers administrative costs. There are no shareholders and no team owners like those other leagues.

[tvbound]

Good for Augusta. I personally want to see ALL of the best players in the world at The Masters (and the other 3 majors) - regardless of which tour they call home.

That was a no brainer.

The test will come the next year, when LIV Players don't have high enough OWGR Ranking to Qualify.

Since The Masters is an 'invitational,' they don't have to abide by the OWGR and I predict that some LIV players (especially previous champions) will continue to be invited for years to come...even if LIV is still around.

[BrianL99]

So, the question is whether the PGA makes a taxable profit????? Unless we hear from their accountant, none of us knows. Remember, all those "billions" are won by players who pay tax. The rest is given to charity or covers administrative costs. There are no shareholders and no team owners like those other leagues.

The PGA Tour had slightly more than a Billion Dollars "in reserve" at the start of this year. The current number sits at over $800,000,000.

"The rest is given to charity or to cover administrative costs"? The Commissioner (who's obviously way over his head) is paid $9,000,000/year. How many "non-profits" pay someone close to $10M to run the place?


As PGA Execs Collect Millions, Critics Question Its Nonprofit Status – InsideSources (https://insidesources.com/as-pga-execs-collect-millions-critics-question-its-non-profit-status/)

[JGibson]

So, the question is whether the PGA makes a taxable profit????? Unless we hear from their accountant, none of us knows. Remember, all those "billions" are won by players who pay tax. The rest is given to charity or covers administrative costs. There are no shareholders and no team owners like those other leagues.

They’re now guaranteeing 500k to every player per year and it was discovered they were sitting on a billion in reserve.

Jay Monahan is flying around on a tax-exempt private jet to do personal errands. C’mon man. They’re making a mockery out of everyday tax-paying folks.

Furthermore plenty of tax paying corporations, companies and sports organizations donate to charity and good causes.

It's time the PGA gets off the government teat.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

On another golf note, Gary Player is now suing his grandson Damian for selling his memorabilia, including his 1974 masters trophy for over $500.000, he’s already suing his son marc for same thing and the other son Wayne is already barred from the masters for promoting golf balls during a private ceremony at Augusta , it proves the old saying you don’t get to pick your family

[golfing eagles]

The PGA Tour had slightly more than a Billion Dollars "in reserve" at the start of this year. The current number sits at over $800,000,000.

"The rest is given to charity or to cover administrative costs"? The Commissioner (who's obviously way over his head) is paid $9,000,000/year. How many "non-profits" pay someone close to $10M to run the place?


As PGA Execs Collect Millions, Critics Question Its Nonprofit Status – InsideSources (https://insidesources.com/as-pga-execs-collect-millions-critics-question-its-non-profit-status/)

Many of them pay way more, eg: The United Way

[golfing eagles]

They’re now guaranteeing 500k to every player per year and it was discovered they were sitting on a billion in reserve.

Jay Monahan is flying around on a tax-exempt private jet to do personal errands. C’mon man. They’re making a mockery out of everyday tax-paying folks.

Furthermore plenty of tax paying corporations, companies and sports organizations donate to charity and good causes.

It's time the PGA gets off the government teat.

And so does the chairman of just about every so-called non-profit charity. But even worse, even more hypocritical is Leonardo DiCaprio, UN Ambassador against global warming flying private jets to climate conferences and using a Saudi Prince's 250-foot yacht pumping out diesel at 3 mpg.

[Mleeja]

LIV offered a new model for players. They were able to sign a few players by throwing incredible sums of money. The PGA responded by throwing incredible sums of money to keep players in the fold. The PGA has essentially created a tour within a tour by catering to the top 20, whoever that might be. The PGA tour is now a case of the “haves” and “have nots”. If I was a mid-level player in the PGA, I would certainly give the LIV tour a hard look if offered. I will be rooting for a LIV player to win the Masters just to shut up a few of the more vocal PGA players. LIV and let LIV is my motto.

[golfing eagles]

LIV offered a new model for players. They were able to sign a few players by throwing incredible sums of money. The PGA responded by throwing incredible sums of money to keep players in the fold. The PGA has essentially created a tour within a tour by catering to the top 20, whoever that might be. The PGA tour is now a case of the “haves” and “have nots”. If I was a mid-level player in the PGA, I would certainly give the LIV tour a hard look if offered. I will be rooting for a LIV player to win the Masters just to shut up a few of the more vocal PGA players. LIV and let LIV is my motto.

The LIV players invited to the Masters are all former champions and players still in the top 100 of OWRL----all capable of winning. So if a LIV player wins, it proves nothing and won't shut anyone up.

[BrianL99]

The PGA Tour had slightly more than a Billion Dollars "in reserve" at the start of this year. The current number sits at over $800,000,000.

"The rest is given to charity or to cover administrative costs"? The Commissioner (who's obviously way over his head) is paid $9,000,000/year. How many "non-profits" pay someone close to $10M to run the place?


As PGA Execs Collect Millions, Critics Question Its Nonprofit Status – InsideSources (https://insidesources.com/as-pga-execs-collect-millions-critics-question-its-non-profit-status/)

Many of them pay way more, eg: The United Way

The CEO & President of United Way is Angela Williams. Her Base Pay is $600,000/Year.

The previous President of United Way, made approximately $1,600,000. That's a long way from $9,000,000.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Friendly reminder-

The PGA is a not for profit tax exempt organization that doesn't pay a dime in taxes yet they hand out billions to multi-millionaires who hit a little white ball.

It's the biggest scam going.

Unlike other athletes, the players on the PGA Tour only get paid if they play well. Tom Brady is still getting paid tens of millions while playing poorly. Golf tennis and bowling are the only sports that I can think of where the players are paid based solely on their performance.

Also, The PGA Tour gave over $3 billion to charities in 2021 and that number will increase in 2022.

They pay no taxes because as you stated, they are not for profit. All the money they collect is spent on expenses or donated to charities. Yes, they pay out millions to their players. They do that in order to attract the best players in the world in order to keep up interest in their product so that they can continue to give $BILLIONS to charity.

By the way, those millionaire players pay taxes on the money that they win so I wouldn't worry about Uncle Sam getting his cut and most of the elite players have set up charitable foundations. You only have to look as far as Orlando to see the Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer hospitals. In The Jack Nicklaus hospital for children is in Columbus Ohio.

Click here to read about The Tiger Woods Foundation and all that they do to help children.About - TGR Foundation, A Tiger Woods Charity (https://tgrfoundation.org/about/)

[JGibson]

LIV offered a new model for players. They were able to sign a few players by throwing incredible sums of money. The PGA responded by throwing incredible sums of money to keep players in the fold. The PGA has essentially created a tour within a tour by catering to the top 20, whoever that might be. The PGA tour is now a case of the “haves” and “have nots”. If I was a mid-level player in the PGA, I would certainly give the LIV tour a hard look if offered. I will be rooting for a LIV player to win the Masters just to shut up a few of the more vocal PGA players. LIV and let LIV is my motto.

:eclipsee_gold_cup: Nice insightful post and dead accurate the PGA has become about the top 20, really the top 10.

[JGibson]

Unlike other athletes, the players on the PGA Tour only get paid if they play well. Tom Brady is still getting paid tens of millions while playing poorly. Golf tennis and bowling are the only sports that I can think of where the players are paid based solely on their performance.

Also, The PGA Tour gave over $3 billion to charities in 2021 and that number will increase in 2022.

They pay no taxes because as you stated, they are not for profit. All the money they collect is spent on expenses or donated to charities. Yes, they pay out millions to their players. They do that in order to attract the best players in the world in order to keep up interest in their product so that they can continue to give $BILLIONS to charity.

By the way, those millionaire players pay taxes on the money that they win so I wouldn't worry about Uncle Sam getting his cut and most of the elite players have set up charitable foundations. You only have to look as far as Orlando to see the Arnold Palmer and Winnie Palmer hospitals. In The Jack Nicklaus hospital for children is in Columbus Ohio.

Click here to read about The Tiger Woods Foundation and all that they do to help children.About - TGR Foundation, A Tiger Woods Charity (https://tgrfoundation.org/about/)

Maybe you didn't hear but the players are all guaranteed 500k per year now. That makes them employees. Also, let's not forget the 100 million in PIP Player Impact Program that Tiger a billionaire won 2 years in a row for a cool $75 million.

Keep in mind this is unlike a not-for-profit like St.Jude which is trying to save kids' lives. The PGA is trying to look like heroes donating some money while making their pockets as fat as possible.

I imagine when the lawsuits start and we get to discovery the PGA tax exemption will come under more scrutiny.

[BrianL99]

Maybe you didn't hear but the players are all guaranteed 500k per year now. That makes them employees. Also, let's not forget the 100 million in PIP Player Impact Program that Tiger a billionaire won 2 years in a row for a cool $75 million.

Keep in mind this is unlike a not-for-profit like St.Jude which is trying to save kids' lives. The PGA is trying to look like heroes donating some money while making their pockets as fat as possible.

I imagine when the lawsuits start and we get to discovery the PGA tax exemption will come under more scrutiny.

They'll give up their Non-Profit Status, before it comes to that ... just like the MLB did in 2007.

[BrianL99]

LIV offered a new model for players. They were able to sign a few players by throwing incredible sums of money. The PGA responded by throwing incredible sums of money to keep players in the fold. The PGA has essentially created a tour within a tour by catering to the top 20, whoever that might be. The PGA tour is now a case of the “haves” and “have nots”. If I was a mid-level player in the PGA, I would certainly give the LIV tour a hard look if offered. I will be rooting for a LIV player to win the Masters just to shut up a few of the more vocal PGA players. LIV and let LIV is my motto.

I have friends on the Korn - Ferry Tour. It will be interesting what happens with this Tour. As it is now, the PGA Tour now has (2) Tours - Stars & Not Stars. I suspect it will be tougher for the Korn Ferry Tour to get sponsors, if it's now the 3rd ranked Tour in the USA.

[Keefelane66]

If I want to watch grass grow it will not be sitting in front of a tv.

[golfing eagles]

Maybe you didn't hear but the players are all guaranteed 500k per year now. That makes them employees. Also, let's not forget the 100 million in PIP Player Impact Program that Tiger a billionaire won 2 years in a row for a cool $75 million.

Keep in mind this is unlike a not-for-profit like St.Jude which is trying to save kids' lives. The PGA is trying to look like heroes donating some money while making their pockets as fat as possible.

I imagine when the lawsuits start and we get to discovery the PGA tax exemption will come under more scrutiny.

Sounds like an expert on the PGA tour, non-profit organizations and the US tax code-------hmmmmm..........perhaps not

[retiredguy123]

Note that the PGA is not a charity. It is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, similar to business leagues, chambers of commerce, and real estate boards. They don't need to give any money to charity. Saint Jude Hospital is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity organization, which must have a charitable mission. Both organizations get their non-profit designation and approval from the IRS. The PGA is not scamming anyone. If you don't like their non-profit status, then complain to the Federal Government and change the law.