LIV Golf has named Scott O’Neil as its new general manager, replacing Australian Greg Norman as head of breakaways.
Norman will hand over day-to-day duties to O’Neil, but will remain on the show.
“On behalf of the board of directors, we welcome Scott to the LIV Golf family, knowing that he will build on everything that has been achieved over the past three years,” LIV Golf CEO Yasir Al-Rumayyan said in a statement.
“Scott has the passion, perseverance and vision to continue to build on LIV Golf’s position as a leading global sports and entertainment company and lead our incredible teams and players for years to come.”
O’Neil most recently served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates amusement parks and resorts. Merlin announced in November that O’Neil was leaving, seeking “another opportunity.”
O’Neil became general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013. As CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, he oversaw the NHL’s Sixers and New Jersey Devils.
He also served as president of Madison Square Garden and worked for the NBA.
O’Neil joins the team as part of ongoing alliance negotiations between LIV Golf, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Norman, 69, told Sports Illustrated in October that his contract expires in August 2025.
He helped launch the breakaway golf course, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), in October 2021.
“When we started LIV Golf, there was no one who made more sense to lead the organization other than Greg Norman,” Al-Rumayyan said.
“I thank him for everything he has done to establish, run and grow our league. He played a key role in LIV’s success.
Under Norman’s supervision, LIV Golf completed its third season in 2024.
Huge prize pools and nine-figure contracts have lured superstars such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith away from the PGA Tour.
“First of all, congratulations to Scott,” Norman said in a statement.
“He is exactly the type of experienced professional who understands the unique and powerful combination of entertainment and sports that LIV Golf exemplifies.
“With him at the helm, the league will be in very good hands.”
