Connect with us

Sports

LIV Golf to hire former 76ers executive Scott O’Neil as CEO, replacing Greg Norman: Source

Published

on

LIV Golf to hire former 76ers executive Scott O’Neil as CEO, replacing Greg Norman: Source

LIV Golf has identified its new leader and is expected to hand its reins to longtime sports and entertainment executive Scott O’Neil.

O’Neil will replace Greg Norman, the original LIV CEO and architect of the breakaway league that reshaped the professional golf landscape during the last three years, according to a source briefed on the matter, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

In October, Sports Business Journal reported the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s intentions to shift Norman out of the CEO role and into a new position. That same month Norman told Sports Illustrated that his contract with LIV would expire in August 2025.

On Wednesday morning, Sports Business Journal reported O’Neil’s emergence as the likely choice as new CEO. A person briefed on the matter confirmed O’Neil’s selection to The Athletic on Wednesday. A LIV Golf spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

O’Neil has worked as CEO of Merlin Entertainments since 2022, overseeing one of the world’s biggest operators of theme parks and resorts, including Legoland properties. Merlin announced Wednesday morning that O’Neil was departing for “another opportunity” and standing down as CEO effective at the end of 2024.

Advertisement
The Pulse Newsletter

Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.

Free, daily sports updates direct to your inbox.

Sign UpBuy The Pulse Newsletter

With O’Neil expected to be announced as LIV CEO, it’s unclear how much power Norman, 69, will maintain. The two-time Open Championship winner is still a current member of LIV’s board of directors.

O’Neil is most well-known for his time as CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. In an eight-year run, he oversaw multiple construction projects and expansion opportunities and stewarded the merger of holdings between Sixers and Devils owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer. He oversaw “the process,” the Sixers’ much publicized, often celebrated, occasionally maligned, rebuilding that resulted in a franchise turnaround but, ultimately, limited playoff success.

“I remember what it was like when we first walked in here, and to think we’ve grown this business, over $2 billion in value over six times in eight years, that’s what I do. Hypergrowth, super growth,” O’Neil told the Associated Press at the time of his 2021 departure.

Advertisement

In taking over LIV, O’Neil will steer the league through a cloudy future determined by lengthy negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF. The two sides, having first come together in June 2023 to create a new entity with combined assets (including LIV), have yet to finalize a structure. Negotiations blew past the original deadline earmarked for the end of last year.

It is still anticipated that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan will ultimately finalize some agreement that will need approval by DOJ antitrust officials. Where LIV will fit in that remains to be seen.

The league has evolved toward an increasingly worldwide schedule that, while growing the brand internationally, creates complications in securing a long-term TV carrier in the United States. With 10 of 14 events scheduled right now for 2025, only three are in the U.S. and none before June.

O’Neil, an alumnus of Villanova and Harvard Business School, also held front-office positions with the New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Rangers.

Required reading

(Top photo: Bradley Collyer / PA Images via Getty Images)

Advertisement

Sports

AEW star Kenny Omega blasts social media user over Charlie Kirk comment

Published

on

AEW star Kenny Omega blasts social media user over Charlie Kirk comment

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Kenny Omega blasted a social media user over a remark made about Will Ospreay and Charlie Kirk.

The X user made a critique about Ospreay’s mic skills on Thursday, writing, “Will Ospreay is as bad on the mic as charlie kirk, but can’t sell the neck as well as he did.”

COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL

Kenny Omega enters the ring during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Wrestle Dynasty event at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 5, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Advertisement

Omega, who is friends with Ospreay inside and outside the ring, slammed the poster.

“What the f— is wrong with you? It isn’t hard to try having some class,” he wrote in response.

“A dear friend battles back from a career threatening injury, is no doubt still fighting pain today, and is somehow mocked and compared to a dude that was murdered. I get that a joke is a joke but these things should really be kept separate in my opinion.”

Kenny Omega looks on after the tag match during the Power Struggle – Super Jr. Tag League 2018 at Edion Arena Osaka on November 03, 2018 in Osaka, Japan. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Advertisement

When one X user came to the defense of the commenter, Omega responded once more.

“Please extend my apologies, genuinely. Perhaps I’ve become too sensitive after my own brush with death. I also know of Will’s efforts behind the scenes more than most so it was sad to see such a harsh comparison,” the current AEW champion added.

Kirk, a conservative commentator and the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. Tyler Robinson was arrested in Kirk’s murder.

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk spoke during his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk was fatally shot while appearing at the event. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

Robinson’s trial is currently ongoing.

Continue Reading

Sports

World Cup championship and third-place game: Start times and how to watch

Published

on

World Cup championship and third-place game: Start times and how to watch

The final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, with France and England playing for third place on Saturday before defending champion Argentina takes on 2010 winner Spain for the title on Sunday.

Here’s everything you need to know about the last two matches of the 39-day, 48-team tournament in North America (all times Pacific).

Saturday’s third-place game

France vs. England

France star Kylian Mbappé smiles during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain on Tuesday.

France star Kylian Mbappé smiles during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain on Tuesday.

(David Ramos / Getty Images)

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock

Advertisement

The buzz: This is a game neither team really wants to play. The disappointment of missing the final is fresh and the weather report calls for temperatures in the high 80s with 68% humidity and a chance of thundershowers — a brutal South Florida summer day. The $2-million difference in prize money between third and fourth place isn’t likely to make any of that more palatable. Still, the game will have meaning for France since it will be the final match for coach Didier Deschamps, the winningest World Cup manager in history. And captain Kylian Mbappé, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for most goals in the tournament (8), has a chance to become the first player to win consecutive Golden Boots. England is playing in the consolation final for the second time in three World Cups; it lost to Belgium 2-1 in 2018. But this one will probably sting even more since the Three Lions were five minutes away from their first final in six decades before collapsing against Argentina. This could be the last World Cup game for England’s Golden Generation of Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Jordan Henderson.

Sunday’s championship game

Spain vs. Argentina

Argentina star Lionel Messi celebrates after a win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

Argentina star Lionel Messi celebrates after a win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

(Buda Mendes / Getty Images)

Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Time: Noon
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock

The buzz: Argentina has a chance to become the first repeat World Cup champion since Brazil in 1962, which would give Messi another grand achievement in his sixth and likely final World Cup. Messi enters the weekend as the all-time leader in goals, assists and games played in tournament history. But unbeaten Argentina hasn’t made things easy, with its winning goals in the four knockout-round games coming in the 92nd minute or later. Spain, the reigning European champion, will be playing to put a second star on its jersey to match the one it won in 2010. La Roja, with the sixth-youngest roster in the World Cup, got to the final on the strength of spectacular defense led by Unai Simón, who has six clean sheets in seven games. Mikel Oyarzabal is the team’s leading scorer with five World Cup goals. The teams had one common opponent in this tournament, tiny Cape Verde, a World Cup debutante. It played Spain to a scoreless draw in its opener, then held Argentina to a 1-1 standoff into extra time before falling.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Olympic great Lindsey Vonn reveals her ankle is ‘still broken’ months after shocking crash

Published

on

Olympic great Lindsey Vonn reveals her ankle is ‘still broken’ months after shocking crash

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics came early, when skier Lindsey Vonn delivered a gutsy performance for the ages by competing at 41 just a week after injuring her knee in a crash.

Unfortunately, as admirable as her perseverance was, she injured herself badly in another crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill final.

Five months later, Vonn is still very much dealing with her injuries.

MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ ROASTS JAKE PAUL, TIGER WOODS AND BILL BELICHICK IN ESPYS MONOLOGUE

Advertisement

Lindsey Vonn speaks on stage during the 2026 ESPYs. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

“It’s been a very slow process,” Vonn told People while attending the ESPYs Wednesday in New York City. “It’s been five months since I’ve been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way. And walking is actually still really hard for me. My ankle is still broken.”

Regardless of the outcome, her decision to attempt that run remains one of the most courageous moments of the Games.

Lindsey Vonn was involved in a serious crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Advertisement

Remember when I mentioned that injury before the Olympics? That wasn’t just a minor bump in the road; it was a completely ruptured ACL.

There was no questioning her courage, but the aftermath has been difficult.

Lindsey Vonn walks through pit lane ahead of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)

“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” Vonn said. “It was honestly almost 3½ months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

This week, Vonn posted an update on her recovery and said she has “a very long road ahead.”

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending