Bryson DeChambeau either didn’t see the question coming (likely) or didn’t really care to answer it (more likely). But when Jason Zone Fisher, the high-energy moderator at LIV Golf’s captains’ news conference Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Fla., asked DeChambeau for his take on “the big news in the world of golf yesterday,” DeChambeau sounded as excited as the endodontist patient who settled into the chair.
That news was, of course, the PGA Tour’s announcement on Monday that Brooks Koepka was coming home – and that three of LIV’s other biggest starsDeChambeau among them, were, however, under the new and very specific protocol of the Tour’s Returning Member, welcome to join him, until February 2nd.
“Yeah, I mean, look,” DeChambeau said with a sigh and raised his eyebrows. This topic. . . again?!
“I’m under contract until 2026, so I’m excited about this year.”
Nothing about his clipped, monotone response conveyed emotion, but then again, DeChambeau’s words and idiosyncrasies can be hard to decipher. They certainly were during his Tuesday-afternoon session with reporters. Later, when asked about a curious photo he posted Monday standing next to an exit sign — which any reasonable person could have assumed was a playful nod to his ongoing negotiations with LIV and the potential for him to cut ties — DeChambeau said, “There’s a new viral trend around exit signs, so I just wanted to show it in a new way.”
Cryptic, right? Weird too. But that’s DeChambeau — sometimes the showman, but not always duplicitous with his delivery in these uncontrolled settings. Here’s what we I DO know: DeChambeau’s initial LIV deal expires at the end of this year; he and his team are negotiating an extension with LIV brass; those talks are ongoing; and DeChambeau has said he would be willing to walk if he doesn’t get the deal he wants.
What is his number? The mind spins. In DeChambeau’s first go-round, in 2022, he raked in “somewhat close” (his words) to $125 million over a four-and-a-half-year commitment. This time? At least double that feels achievable. Likewise 4x. Indeed, when you consider his employer’s generous budget combined with DeChambeau’s incalculable value with the league’s visibility and other marketing efforts, there’s no reason to believe he can’t collect Soto, Mahomes or Messi-type money. Just ask the guy DeChambeau is negotiating with.
“He’s the biggest star in the game,” LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said at a news conference Wednesday. “He’s an elite human being. He’s talented. He’s amazing. He’s a social media darling. You go from Augusta to Adelaide and people are — the fans are going crazy. He’s a guy the kids absolutely adore and love. He gets the vision. He gets the mission. He’s a true businessman.”
O’Neil’s excellent review didn’t end there.
“This is a generational talent, and I’m not talking about the golfer,” he continued. “He’s a generational talent as far as an athlete goes. I’ve said that to him privately and I’ll say it publicly. He’s a really, really special human being and talent. Everything he stands for is good for the game and good for this next generation of golf, and I expect him to be at LIV for a very long time.”
That’s the thing, though. DeChambeau hasn’t articulated his long-term goals, at least not publicly. Playing nice is a classic deal-making tactic, but DeChambeau has been driven to cold, if not downright cold.
“To have him stand up (Tuesday) and say, ‘Check, I’m in,’ was pretty cool,” O’Neil said. This felt like an optimistic read; DeChambeau’s remarks, in fact, left him plenty of wiggle room. Yes, he seems likely to see out his current deal, but beyond that remains an open question.
A third door is also open: Wednesday, at one interview with Front Office Sports reporter David RumseyDeChambeau said becoming, essentially, a full-time YouTube golfer interspersed with movies at the majors is a “very viable option,” adding that his YouTube exploits keep his game “open.” DeChambeau told Rumsey that he hopes his conversations with LIV management lead him to a deal that “makes sense long term, and if not, we’ll play this year and see what happens.”
See what happens. That’s typical of how DeChambeau discusses his plans these days. Always with an out clause.
Many of us hit crossroads in our careers, but DeChambeau is a badass: renewing with LIV for what will likely be one of the biggest contracts in sports history; return to the PGA Tour and rob LIV of the crown jewel; or give up the tour life largely and continue to blaze a trail in a space where birdies and bogeys matter far less than viewers and subscribers.
Perhaps DeChambeau made his decision months ago. Maybe he is deeply invested in LIV and is just trying for more money. But maybe not. Perhaps he is unsure of his next steps, and perhaps Koepka’s departure has given DeChambeau further pause. Maybe he’s secretly meeting with the PGA Tour and Brian Rolapp to plot his exit.
Maybe we’ll get clarity here soon. But. . . yes, maybe not.
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