Golfers are generally among the most business-savvy sportspeople.
However, they still need representation in contract talks, discussions with would-be brand partners and diplomacy with governing bodies.
There is simply more money sloshing about the sport than ever before.
Yes, the bombastic presence of LIV Golf within the sport’s ecosystem has had an inflationary effect, but so too have booming TV viewing figures, soaring attendances and widening demographics.
The player representation business itself is now a nine-figure industry. And the agencies that act on behalf of players are attracting massive valuations.
The Team on course for full takeover
The Team – which was known as Wasserman until a rebrand earlier this year – is one of the biggest agencies in sports and entertainment.
It represents hundreds of athletes worldwide, including dozens of golfers. Ryan Fox, the underdog winner at the Open Championship, is on their roster, for example.
Probably the two biggest names on The Team’s books are probably Cam Smith and Nelly Korda.
As reported by numerous outlets, the private equity firm Providence Equity is close to taking full control of The Team.
Providence Equity already owns roughly 60 per cent of the company’s shares but now wants to consolidate its ownership in a move that values the business at $3.4bn.
If completed, it would be the most recent in a long list of buyouts of sports agencies in recent years.
What it would mean for the likes of Smith, Korda and Fox is unclear.
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