The new LIV Golf league has really shaken up not just the golf world, but the sports world too. It’s brought about questions like: Why are these golfers leaving the PGA Tour so quickly? Are these golfers greedy? Do the players not realize they are playing for the Saudis who are involved with numerous human rights violations amongst a laundry list of other wrongdoings?
First off, what is the LIV Golf league?
According to the New York Times:
A golf league bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. They are billing themselves as “an opportunity to reinvigorate golf” through rich paydays, star players and slick marketing. “Golf but louder,” goes one of its slogans.
LIV Golf’s organizers hope to position it as a player-power-focused alternative to the PGA Tour, which has been the highest level of pro golf for nearly a century.
Why should you care?
Whether you’re a golf fan or just a fan of sports, they are changing the golf game for now and maybe its future too. It’s tough to say that another league could do the same thing to the NBA, NFL, MLB or any other major US professional league, but you never know. It’s an exciting concept that a league could quickly disrupt the golf industry in the matter of months. Think about it. No other league has ever really disrupted the PGA Tour (a 92-year-old league) in its history. Could the LIV Golf league be the first one to shake things up?
How are the shaking things up?
Very simple:
More (potential) money than the PGA Tour. Guaranteed yearly money too.
What’s a new golf league have to do with social media?
Well, not only the media’s coverage will determine the public’s point of view on the new league, but also, the league’s social media output. Social media is where LIV Golf will educate the audience on their league, acquire new followers and increase brand awareness/brand loyalty. They can do all of this with the content they show to their current and new audience.
“Content is King”
As you might’ve read in the article by Bill Gates in 1996 or in my book “The Evolution of Sports Social Media” published in November 2021.
So, what has LIV Golf been posting on social media (mainly focusing on Instagram in this blog)?
Their content has been nothing but spectacular. For a new league starting out, you wonder if they would hire a few interns to run the show or a team of social media ninjas. It seems they went the route of hiring one experienced social media expert, Elijah Zabludoff.
Elijah has only been out of college for 4 years, but has an impressive background since graduating. From interning at FOX Sports to helping out with NFL Red Zone’s Twitter to finally working at MSG. In nearly four years at MSG, he went from social media coordinator to manager of marketing and social content strategy. A solid rise through the ranks.
Now, he’s Head of Social for LIV Golf. One of the most controversial yet eye-catching new sports leagues (in my opinion). Not sure if he works alone or has a team behind him, but the content has been next level and frankly up to par (insert golf joke) with the PGA Tour.
The first video they posted was perfect. It explained what LIV Golf is and what they are all about in a cool way. I’m sure they hired an agency to make the video, but it was impressive to say the least. The video generated nearly 60K views to a following of less than 170K followers. Next, their explanation of the league has been informative.
They do high-end graphics for a special style that reflects their overall style/brand guild. The font and colors are unique from other leagues, yet almost refreshing. They have quality videos from the draft and showcase each of the 12 teams in a unique way.
Their first post was June 7, but they already have nearly 170K followers, which I’m sure they will pass after this blog is posted.
So congrats to Elijah and anyone else who works at LIV Golf to help manage or produce content for their social media channels. Their IG and Twitter accounts have been engaging and I believe have helped the game of golf and will help it in the future. Their social media has been educational and informative, while being eye-catching and interesting.
So, does LIV Golf social media live up to the hype?
It sure does and then some.
