So now the PGA Tour has thrown a lifeline of sorts to the European Tour by purchasing an interest in that tour’s media group but over in the U.K., European tour boss Keith Pelley is catching a lot of flak.
It was back in April that Pelley was moaning about difficult financial times for the European Tour. He canned 68 hard-working staffers from the European Tour.
When it was announced that the Tour pumped some money into the European coffers, it was suggested to Pelley by U.K. media types that his tour was in poor financial shape.
Pelley begged to differ and claimed the Euro Tour is in “robust financial health.” Which made many wonder if any of those 68 who received pink slips would be getting their jobs back.
If indeed the European Tour is in “robust financial health” then why were those 68 staffers canned?
Some believe that Mr. Pelley simply isn’t telling the truth when he issued this statement:
“We are categorically not in financial difficulties. That is simply wrong. We are in robust financial health with a very strong balance sheet, strongest ever.”
Now the unfortunate 68 must have choked on their afternoon tea when they heard that statement from Pelley.
At the end of the day, everyone pretty much knows the European Tour is a pauper compared to the cash-laden PGA Tour, no secret there. Many of the European star earn big bucks in America — no two ways about it.
As for the “strategic alliance” between the two tours, you may recall the reports of another upstart called the Premier Golf Tour. The PGA Tour and European Tour want nothing to do with it and want none of their players to have anything to do with it. Now that the PGA Tour is a bit more cozy with its European cousin, well, that might just ward off the Premier wannabes.
As for Keith Pelley, he needs to simply tell the truth.
3 Comments
baxter cepeda
I think he is telling the truth.
Corona isn’t factored in your article.
The euro tour seems healthy to me. Like everyone they need to get past these times.
With all due respect to the almost 70 people whom lost their kushy jobs, considering their absence is hardly noticed, how important were they?
There are no fans, no bleechers, coverage is kept to a minimum.
Those people are simply not needed in these lean times. It is what it is, tiger would say.
The lpga tour was able to get an event up and running in about a week. If they had 70 people involved no way it happens. Less is more sometimes.
It seems When tours have extra money they can hire tons of people to do something.
But it’s good to know they can also tighten their belts in times like these and focus on the real workers on a golf tour, they players.
Tom Edrington
The UK scribes disagree with you, a lot of the folks let go had been with the ET through even tougher times; If the ET is in “robust financial health” then they surely wouldn’t have pink slipped those loyal employees; They were not highly-paid staffers like the PGA Tour has, a lot of lower range salaries.
baxter cepeda
I understand and I was a bit rough maybe.
But again it is what it is.
He seems like a good Commish to me. Times are tough but they are running their events.
Robust financial health just sounds funny, especially when laying off people, but they are healthy enough financially to get thru this COVID era.
They will be fine and most likely many of these folks get their jobs back once things get back to normal, especially now with the pga tour involved.
Patience.