LIV Golf Faces Another High-Profile Departure as Chief Media Officer will Staeger Exits
In a important shakeup for the LIV Golf league,Will Staeger,the breakaway tour’s chief media officer,has stepped down from his role. The news, first reported by the Sports Business journal, marks yet another high-profile departure for the Saudi-backed league, which has seen a series of executive exits since its controversial inception in 2021.
Staeger, who joined LIV Golf in its early days, played a pivotal role in securing the league’s first TV deal with The CW and was instrumental in negotiations that led to a subsequent agreement with Fox. His departure comes just a week after Greg Norman, LIV’s former CEO, was replaced by Scot O’neil. Norman, however, has indicated that he will remain involved with the league in some capacity after his contract officially ends.
In a statement to SBJ, Staeger reflected on his time with LIV, saying, “I’m looking forward to pursuing some exciting entertainment ventures of my own after what has been a career-defining and inspiring partnership with LIV Golf. Not only am I grateful and proud to have been a part of the iconic launch and growth of LIV, but I will forever be rooting for LIV’s continued groundbreaking and innovative success from the other side of the ropes.”
A LIV spokesperson echoed these sentiments, stating, “We’re incredibly grateful for Will’s contributions to building the league’s broadcast and LIV studios model and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
A Pattern of Executive Turnover
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Staeger’s exit is the latest in a string of departures that have plagued LIV Golf as its launch. The league’s first chief commercial officer, Sean Bratches, resigned just days after LIV’s inaugural event at Centurion Club in June 2022. While Bratches never publicly disclosed his reasons for leaving, it was widely speculated that his decision was influenced by Norman’s controversial comments regarding the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Atul Khosla, another key executive, also left LIV after just one year. Khosla, who joined the league in 2022 as chief commercial officer, was described by Golf Digest as a “voice of reason” during the league’s tumultuous early days.
The Broader Context
LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has faced intense scrutiny as its inception. The league’s financial muscle has allowed it to lure top players from the PGA Tour, but its association with Saudi Arabia has sparked criticism over human rights concerns and the kingdom’s alleged involvement in Khashoggi’s murder.
Despite these challenges, LIV has continued to push forward, securing lucrative TV deals and expanding its roster of players. However, the frequent turnover of top executives raises questions about the league’s long-term stability and its ability to maintain its momentum in the face of ongoing controversies.
Key Executive Departures at LIV Golf
| Executive | Role | Tenure | Notable Contributions |
|————————|——————————|——————|——————————————————————————————|
| Will Staeger | Chief Media Officer | 2021–2025 | Secured TV deals with The CW and Fox; built LIV Studios model |
| Sean Bratches | Chief Commercial Officer | 2022 (briefly) | Oversaw inaugural event; resigned amid controversy over Greg Norman’s comments |
| Atul Khosla | Chief Commercial Officer | 2022–2023 | Seen as a “voice of reason” during early days; left after one year |
| Greg Norman | CEO | 2021–2025 | Led league’s launch; replaced by Scot O’Neil in 2025 |
What’s Next for LIV Golf?
As LIV Golf enters its fourth season, the league faces both opportunities and challenges. With Staeger’s departure, the focus now shifts to how the league will navigate its media strategy moving forward. Will the new leadership under Scot O’Neil be able to stabilize the executive ranks and build on the foundation laid by Staeger and others?
For now, LIV remains committed to its mission of revolutionizing professional golf. But as the league continues to evolve, the question remains: Can it overcome its internal challenges and external criticisms to secure a lasting place in the sport?
What are yoru thoughts on LIV Golf’s future? Share your opinions in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on this developing story.
interview: Analyzing LIV GolfS Executive Turnover and Future
Editor: Will Staeger, LIV Golf’s Chief Media Officer, has recently stepped down. What does his departure signify for the league?
Guest: will Staeger’s exit is significant because he played a crucial role in securing key media deals for LIV Golf, including agreements with The CW and Fox. His departure,coming shortly after Greg Norman’s replacement as CEO,highlights a pattern of high-profile exits within the league. This raises questions about the stability of LIV’s leadership and its ability to maintain its momentum.
Editor: Can you elaborate on the broader context of these executive departures?
guest: absolutely. LIV Golf has faced intense scrutiny as its inception due to its backing by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The league has been criticized for its association with human rights concerns, particularly regarding the murder of journalist jamal Khashoggi. These controversies, combined with the league’s aggressive poaching of players from the PGA Tour, have created a challenging habitat. The frequent turnover of top executives, including sean Bratches and Atul Khosla, further compounds these challenges, casting doubt on the league’s long-term stability.
Editor: How has LIV Golf responded to these challenges?
Guest: Despite the controversies, LIV Golf has continued to push forward. The league has secured lucrative TV deals, expanded its roster of players, and maintained a strong financial backing from the PIF. However, the executive turnover, including Staeger’s departure, indicates internal struggles that could impact the league’s ability to sustain its growth and navigate its media strategy effectively.
Editor: What’s next for LIV Golf under its new leadership?
Guest: with Scot O’Neil now at the helm as CEO, the focus will be on stabilizing the executive ranks and building on the foundation laid by Staeger and others. The league’s ability to maintain its media partnerships and continue innovating in the professional golf space will be critical. though, overcoming external criticisms and internal challenges remains a significant hurdle for LIV Golf as it seeks to establish a lasting presence in the sport.
Editor: What are your thoughts on LIV Golf’s future?
Guest: LIV Golf has demonstrated resilience and financial strength, but its future will depend on how well it can address its internal issues and manage external perceptions. If the league can stabilize its leadership and continue innovating,it has the potential to carve out a niche in professional golf. However, the persistent controversies and executive turnover could hinder its progress. It’s a delicate balancing act that will determine whether LIV Golf can secure its place in the sport.
Conclusion
Will Staeger’s departure from LIV Golf marks yet another high-profile exit in a series of executive turnovers that have plagued the Saudi-backed league. As LIV Golf navigates its media strategy and leadership changes under Scot O’Neil, the league faces both opportunities and challenges. The coming months will be critical in determining whether LIV Golf can overcome its internal struggles and external criticisms to establish a lasting presence in professional golf.
