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Jay Monahan appeared in his first public press conference since before last August’s Tour Championship at East Lake on Tuesday, discussing all manner of subjects from the past six months.
The PGA Tour commissioner provided updates on negotiations with the Saudi PIF, where the US-based circuit stands following investment from the Strategic Sports Group, and shared his thoughts on a couple of key signings for the LIV Golf League.
Here are some of the notable topics discussed by Monahan at TPC Sawgrass prior to the 50th edition of the Players Championship.
What he would have done differently
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Monahan admitted he “could have handled last summer better” but said that he has “taken full responsibility and accountability for that.” He stated that everyone has moved on and he has learned from it.
Monahan went on to say: “I’ve been humbled by it. I think I’ve gotten stronger as a leader, and the progress that we have made since that point in time, some of which I just talked about, and includes the SSG’s investment in the PGA TOUR and the prospects that that brings forward, I couldn’t be more excited about.
“I’m really proud of our players. I’m really proud of my team members. We’re just trying to get better every single day, and I feel like as an organization we have come a long way in the last several months, and I expect next time I’m in front of all of you we’ll have a lot more progress to report.”
How he plans to deliver a return on SSG’s investment
Jay Monahan and John Henry, Principal, Fenway Sports Group, shake hands
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It is a question many people have wondered since the $3 billion deal was confirmed. Monahan said the simplest way to do that is by focusing on the fans even more than they already have been doing at a time where golf is truly global.
He said: “When you grow fandom, ultimately, that drives your commercial success. We are fortunate to have an incredible group of loyal and committed corporate partners, and we are also incredibly fortunate to have such incredible following in the communities that we play.
“All of our tournaments have grown year to date, and we just want to make sure we keep that momentum going. But in a complex business, it does come back down, and it’s true for any sport, you’re only as strong as your fan base and you’re only as strong as your ability to grow that fan base.”
PGA Tour, SSG and PIF have been in constant dialogue in recent months
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