It wasn’t the split that the golf world has been anticipating, but we can still learn a lot from Bryson DeChambeau’s breakup with his equipment provider, LA Golf.
LA Golf had become synonymous with DeChambeau over recent years, equipping him with the most unique set of clubs in the game. All of DeChambeau’s clubs, from long irons to wedges, have the same shaft length, giving him maximum repeatability with his swing.
But after DeChambeau asked for a 51% stake in the company, up from his previous share of just 2%, the two-time major winner’s relationship with LA Golf has come to an abrupt and surprising end.
And the way the American approached these negotiations gives us an idea of how he will approach his contract discussions with LIV Golf.
Bryson DeChambeau showed his priorities in LA Golf negotiations
DeChambeau’s LIV Golf contract ends this year, and after Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed left the Saudi-backed league, all eyes are on the two-time US Open winner to see if he will re-sign or walk away.
He has been unhappy with LIV’s decision-making in recent months, as he openly criticized their decision to move to a 72-hole format. “This isn’t what I signed up for”, he said prior to their season opener in Saudi Arabia.
DeChambeau has also made clear that if necessary, he is happy to focus solely on his wildly popular YouTube channel full-time, and is willing to walk away from LIV. He has all the leverage, so it’s expected that LIV will offer DeChambeau an eye-watering figure.
But by asking for a 51% share in LA Golf, DeChambeau showed that money is not his first priority. 51% is a key number that symbolizes control over financial gain.
If money were the first thing on DeChambeau’s mind, he’d surely have been happy with 49%. Not a controlling share, but a much larger stake in the company than he had previously. The biggest difference between 49% and 51% is influence and power.
DeChambeau wanted control over LA Golf. That’s clear from these negotiations, and it’s something LIV Golf must consider. His current LIV contract is reportedly worth $125 million, and it will take much more than a pay rise to keep him on the tour.
He is unhappy with the direction of the league and likely wants a greater say in the decisions LIV makes moving forward. What LIV must now consider is whether they are willing to give up control to their marquee player.
Bryson DeChambeau says things must improve with LIV Golf
DeChambeau has not withheld his criticisms of LIV this year and made it clear to everyone that things need to improve on the tour after the departure of Reed and Koepka.
But speaking in January, he kept his cards close to his chest when it came to his contract discussions: “The conversations are in process. We have to get to a place where both parties have a good understanding of one another.
“It is getting to a place that makes sense for both sides. And, I think that can happen, but you never know. Life throws curveballs.”
He went on to say that he wants to see big changes on LIV, but said so far in his tenure as CEO, Scott O’Neil has done well.
“Things have got to change. Things have got to improve. And I think Scott’s done a fabulous job with the year that he’s had.”
DeChambeau wants change on LIV, and he’s currently in contract negotiations with all the leverage in the world. So if he wants to make a real impact on the league’s future, he must negotiate for more power internally. Only time will tell if he gets his wish.
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