How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

That's the part of this I'm unclear about honestly..

Without question many are displeased ... but ... it's possible there is an equal or larger market willing to embrace new/modified/additional formats over the long term.

As an example here...

I was shocked to hear from my older relative (who I play the games with)...who's been a life long golfer and fan.... that he was enjoying the LIV tour

It's possible there is desire for some change or different modes/models out there over the long term. It's really hard to predict that stuff or gauge actual perception of "how it's been"

I suppose, but a couple of us here have said we're losing interest, and maybe we're the minority. But the thing is, there is still a ton of uncertainty around what the future, especially the majors. That's where the vast number of "casual" golf fans will be the most affected.

If, let's say for example, Augusta bans LIV players from the Masters - no clue if this would actually happen, but let's assume it does...that means no more Phil there, no more Reed (who's already polarizing), no more Sergio, no more DJ...that's nuts. Those are a fair number of players with name recognition who aren't there anymore. And those are just the past winners of the event...doesn't even figure in guys like Koepka and Bryson.

It's a wild time right now, and it's all getting to be a pain and not worth my time and effort. Others may feel differently, for sure. But if I'm not really invested in the PGA Tour or LIV, why would I care to pay money to get a video game that represents their sport when I already have others (TW14, Rory, PGA 2K21, etc.) that do the job just fine, minus all the uncertainty and drama of the current status of golf?

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

If, let's say for example, Augusta bans LIV players from the Masters - no clue if this would actually happen, but let's assume it does...that means no more Phil there, no more Reed (who's already polarizing), no more Sergio, no more DJ...that's nuts. Those are a fair number of players with name recognition who aren't there anymore. And those are just the past winners of the event...doesn't even figure in guys like Koepka and Bryson.

I am going on record right now with my prediction here ....

No way Augusta bans LIV players

They chart their own course and fiercely protect their own brand and product.... and core to that product is the names of the past and "best in the world" and of course ... past winners. They are a singular "event" and it has unique popularity and interest.

They are a total outlier in golf and I expect them to always do what's in their own interest.

(just like the players defecting to LIV for money...by the way)

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I am going record right now ....

No way Augusta bans LIV players


They chart their own course and fiercely protect their own brand and product.... and core to that product is the names of the past and "best in the world".

Like I said, I am just using this as an example as to how things could change or how things could be altered in the future. And especially how things could affect casual fans who might not follow golf regularly, but do follow the majors and do like to play golf video games.

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

The other thing is...if guys are willing to throw away Ryder Cup captaincies, who's to say they don't just say "screw it" and never play in the majors again either?

Many who jumped to LIV claimed it was for the ability to play less golf and have a shorter schedule. If someone is willing to give up one of the most prestigious positions in golf, captain of a Ryder Cup team, I wouldn't put it past others to say "meh" to playing in events like the PGA Championship or even The Masters. Plus, they might not even get the ability to do so if LIV events don't allow for the earning of OWGR points.

[lowpaiddonkey10]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

Dunno about the ramifications are going to be with pros in either game couldn't care less really. The tour is going to have to come to some kind of agreement with LIV. Relegating LIV to the dead season won't fly. Players can't expect to get world ranking points if they play no cut 54 hole tourneys I mean that is bs. This continues down this path the PGA tour will become a feeder for LIV. Who would want to go through the grind of the regular tour with all the money coming from oil? Bad situation all around very sad to see.

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

The other thing is...if guys are willing to throw away Ryder Cup captaincies, who's to say they don't just say "screw it" and never play in the majors again either?

Many who jumped to LIV claimed it was for the ability to play less golf and have a shorter schedule. If someone is willing to give up one of the most prestigious positions in golf, captain of a Ryder Cup team, I wouldn't put it past others to say "meh" to playing in events like the PGA Championship or even The Masters. Plus, they might not even get the ability to do so if LIV events don't allow for the earning of OWGR points.

I think it's possible that players with options, will exercise them -- simple as that.

We have to remember that many top flight players make a lot more from endorsements than actually playing golf.

Money ... made on their own terms as much as possible .. is the driver here.

I continue to exclude the Masters here. That's something players love being a part of. It's an event -- an exclusive club people want to be a part of and draws attention and eyeballs that the rest of the Golf season largely just "doesn't".

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

The tour is going to have to come to some kind of agreement with LIV. Relegating LIV to the dead season won't fly. Players can't expect to get world ranking points if they play no cut 54 hole tourneys I mean that is bs. This continues down this path the PGA tour will become a feeder for LIV.

Absolutely right on -- 100% agree with all of it

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I think it's possible that players with options, will exercise them -- simple as that.

We have to remember that many top flight players make a lot more from endorsements than actually playing golf.

Money ... made on their own terms as much as possible .. is the driver here.

I continue to exclude the Masters here. That's something players love being a part of. It's an event -- an exclusive club people want to be a part of and draws attention and eyeballs that the rest of the Golf season largely just "doesn't".

The endorsements thing is true...up to the point that LIV is willing to pay guys $200 million or more to join the league. Phil's out there with his own logo on a hat now. He doesn't need endorsements, and most of these other LIVers would be fine now without them, too. Even that James Piot, last year's US Am winner, said he'd be making over $1 million just in base earnings for playing on LIV, and that's not including any money he'd win in the events. And since LIV pays for everything, all that money's going straight into the player's pocket.

I want to agree with you on the Masters. I like to think all that's true. But I felt the same way about Ryder Cups and being a captain there. It's like a lifetime achievement award for guys that made huge impacts on the game, and being the captain was their reward for it, representing more than just themselves but all of Europe/the US. Stenson just said no thanks, money's more important.

If that's the case, then nothing is sacred anymore, IMO.

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

The endorsements thing is true...up to the point that LIV is willing to pay guys $200 million or more to join the league. Phil's out there with his own logo on a hat now. He doesn't need endorsements, and most of these other LIVers would be fine now without them, too. Even that James Piot, last year's US Am winner, said he'd be making over $1 million just in base earnings for playing on LIV, and that's not including any money he'd win in the events. And since LIV pays for everything, all that money's going straight into the player's pocket.

I want to agree with you on the Masters. I like to think all that's true. But I felt the same way about Ryder Cups and being a captain there. It's like a lifetime achievement award for guys that made huge impacts on the game, and being the captain was their reward for it. Stenson just said no thanks, money's more important.

If that's the case, then nothing is sacred anymore, IMO.

You're assuming (I think incorrectly) that any "choice" will have to be made by the players re: The Masters

I'm feeling quite comfortable in predicting that The Masters will invite and accept any/all golfers, per their normal operational guidelines..

I don't think the LIV thing will be something they worry about.

They are their own singular event and it would harm them immensely if they went down that path. Like..harm them in the wallet.... I'll be shocked if they do something like that (The Masters I mean)

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

You're assuming (I think incorrectly) that any "choice" will have to be made by the players re: The Masters

I'm feeling quite comfortable in predicting that The Masters will invite and accept any/all golfers, per their normal operational guidelines..

I don't think the LIV thing will be something they worry about.

They are their own singular event and it would harm them immensely if they went down that path. Like..harm them in the wallet.... I'll be shocked if they do something like that (The Masters I mean)

What I am saying is that the Masters might invite the players...but the players might say, "nope". All the while, other guys fall down the OWGR to the point they don't even get the invite anymore.

[VoltSwoosh]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

To be honest, given all this and seeing quite blatantly how these pros really feel and how much the greed is part of it...I rapidly losing interest in any new pro golf game.



The PGA Tour has serious issues and is leaking talent. The majors are beginning to lose their luster since some of the better players in the world are willing to give them up. Legacies and history are being tossed aside. Instead, the talent would rather get huge amounts of Monopoly money to play shorter events with the same format we all play at charity scrambles. It's awful.



Why should we care anymore?

Pro golf could disband tomorrow and i would still be excited to play Augusta National on next gen.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

What I am saying is that the Masters might invite the players...but the players might say, "nope".

Why would they do that?

Players aren't opting to not do things with the PGA ... they have conflicts with LIV and/or are being told by the PGA they "can't"

I really think folks invited to the Masters will participate ...unless LIV tries to block even that?

Like you said - anything is possible!

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

Why would they do that?

Players aren't opting to not do things with the PGA ... they have conflicts with LIV and/or are being told by the PGA they "can't"

I really think folks invited to the Masters will participate ...unless LIV tries to block even that?

Like you said - anything is possible!

I don't really know why, but I also have no idea why someone would give up the captaincy of a Ryder Cup team...if legacy, history, or being part of an exclusive club meant anything.

And I do agree with Volt that playing Augusta on next-gen is awesome. I am just saying that others, not as hardcore as us here, might not care as much as all this drama continues to unfold over the next 6 months.

[scagwi]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I think the way to think about this is "events" vs "tours"

TV eyeballs and marketing dollars are really drawn to "events" these days

I won't be surprised at all if golf, at the highest level, turns into a worldwide, year round, event driven entity eventually -- and all this disruption might be how it all starts.

The "grinding on the tour" thing might be compelling to hardcore fans, but it doesn't move the needle at all for a wider and more lucrative audience.

This is one of those things it's hard for us who are too close to it to understand.

PGA feeding the LIV, as @lowpaiddonkey10 user posted, might be exactly how it goes...

[MrArlingtonBeach]

Re: How should 2K & EA handle the PGA vs LIV issues?

I think the way to think about this is "events" vs "tours"

TV eyeballs and marketing dollars are really drawn to "events" these days

I won't be surprised at all if golf, at the highest level, turns into a worldwide, year round, event driven entity eventually -- and all this disruption might be how it all starts.

The "grinding on the tour" thing might be compelling to hardcore fans, but it doesn't move the needle at all for a wider and more lucrative audience.

This is one of those things it's hard for us who are too close to it to understand.

Agree...and that's my entire thought behind the Ryder Cup. It's even more rare of an event than The Masters. Players and captains in that event are more than just pro golfers, they are legends and heroes for many.

Guys are willing to give all that up for money. So I honestly have no idea what to expect for any of the majors or other big events in golf as it currently stands. The thought it becomes event driven does seem the way things are going, but it seems the biggest impact will be how lucrative these events are. History/legacy is pretty much worthless now for many of these guys, it seems.