Liverpool owner John W Henry won over Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in PGA Tour meeting

John W. Henry, renowned for his extensive involvement in sports, has expanded his influence into the world of golf. As the principal owner of Liverpool Football Club, Henry also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins. His latest venture, however, takes him into the golfing arena. Earlier this year, Henry’s investment group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), orchestrated a significant $3 billion deal with the PGA Tour. This deal secured FSG a minority stake in a newly formed PGA company, aimed at giving professional golfers ownership stakes and addressing the disruption caused by the emergence of LIV Golf, which had led to considerable tension in the sport.

This restructuring led to the establishment of a new PGA Tour board, where Henry serves as one of four representatives from the Strategic Sports Group (SSG). This board also includes notable players such as Tiger Woods, Patrick Cantlay, and Jordan Spieth. According to details recently revealed by the Financial Times, the early stages of this partnership took place against a backdrop of turmoil in professional golf. On November 9, with the deal still pending, Henry and his SSG associates were invited to a pivotal meeting at Tiger Woods’ offices in Jupiter, Florida.

Woods was joined at the meeting by fellow golfers including Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, while several others participated via Zoom. Henry was accompanied by his wife, Linda, FSG executives Tom Werner and Sam Kennedy, as well as Arthur Blank and Andy Cohen. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the meeting’s success, reports indicate that Henry’s approach resonated with the players. He was particularly eager to listen to their concerns, many of whom had previously declined lucrative offers from LIV Golf to remain loyal to the PGA Tour.

A participant at the meeting disclosed to the Financial Times that Henry emphasized their alignment with the players, reportedly repeating, “We want to be aligned with the players” multiple times. His earnestness and willingness to engage with the players reportedly left a favorable impression, enabling Henry and his team to refine their proposal.

Upon the formal announcement of the restructuring in March, Henry, in his capacity as the owner of Liverpool, issued a statement highlighting the importance of collaboration with the players. He stated, “Our role on the Enterprises Board will focus on hearing Player Director ideas and working alongside them to ensure the sport’s commercial growth occurs in a way that creates the best possible product for fans. All of us at Strategic Sports Group see a bright future for the PGA TOUR, and the constitution of the Enterprises Board is an important first step in realizing that future.”

This new alliance marks a significant step in stabilizing professional golf and enhancing its commercial prospects, with Henry and his team poised to play a crucial role in shaping its future.