The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) is reportedly eyeing former Philadelphia 76ers chief Scott O’Neil as a potential successor to LIV Golf’s current boss, Greg Norman.

Earlier this month, the Sports Business Journal (SBJ) reported that Saudi chiefs were seeking a new CEO to replace Norman, who has been at the helm since the league’s inception in 2021.

Now, SBJ claims that LIV’s leaders have engaged in discussions with O’Neil about assuming the role. O’Neil joined the 76ers as CEO in 2013 before taking on his role with Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment when it was created to oversee the team. He left in 2021 for a position with theme park giant Merlin Entertainments.

It was reported on Wednesday that O’Neil would be stepping down from his leadership role. It now seems that he is in talks to take over Norman’s position at LIV, with the former world No.1 likely to be reassigned within the league. This could signal a significant shake-up by PIF, who previously supported Norman in establishing men’s professional golf’s newest tour.

Despite some hurdles, the Australian has managed to grow the circuit quickly, attracting some of the sport’s biggest stars, including Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm.

Despite playing a significant role in the league’s meteoric rise, Norman appears to have been sidelined from ongoing negotiations between LIV bosses and their PGA Tour counterparts.

Scott O'Neil, chief executive officer of the Philadelphia 76ers Inc., smiles during a Bloomberg Television interview in New York, U.S. in 2016

Scott O’Neil could come in for Norman ( 

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Getty Images)

With his future uncertain, Norman recently revealed in an interview that he has a contract as the league’s CEO until 2025, which he intends to fulfill. “I’ll answer it this way: My contract is through August of 2025. My commitment to LIV has been unquestioned and my commitment into the future is also unquestioned,” he shared with Sports Illustrated.

“Time will tell. Will there be a change in my role? My position and my role is to deliver 2025 and get our schedule done and all the things we need to do.”

He also addressed the potential for a truce with the PGA Tour, stating: “I can only speak on LIV’s behalf and we’re moving forward irrespective [of a deal]. Would it make things easier? Yes, it would. Whether it’s a year or now. I will go to my grave wondering about those first 18 months [with LIV] and why. Knowing where we are today. Knowing the acceptance of what LIV Golf is today. Why did it have to be that way? “.

“You sit back and see all the people in the industry who created this angst. I just wish I could go back in time and revisit the start. And knowing what they know would they have done things differently. I bet they would have.”