LIV CEO -- Greg Norman is 'a gift,' remains on board of directors - ESPN

Former LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman, who was replaced by sports and entertainment executive Scott O'Neil this season, remains on the league's board of directors, O'Neil told reporters in Australia on Wednesday.

Norman, a two-time Open Championship winner, helped get the Saudi Arabian-financed circuit off the ground by recruiting several PGA Tour players to join the league the past few years.

«Greg is an icon. He is a friend,» O'Neil said during a news conference in Adelaide, Australia, where the second LIV Golf tournament of the season tees off Friday at The Grange Golf Club. «He is the reason I'm here today.»

O'Neil, a past CEO of the parent company of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, president of Madison Square Garden, and CEO of amusement and resort company Merlin Entertainment Group, said Norman attended a LIV Golf board meeting last week.

«I spent quite a bit of time with him in my 30-day lead-up to this role and every day since engaging, asking questions and learning, and I hope that he is part of LIV forever,» O'Neil said.

«He sits on the board, which is another wonderful testament that we can tap into his experience, his leadership, his friendship, and any challenges, too, at the board meeting. I was hoping for a friendly on the other side of the table, but he mixes it up pretty good. It's quite a gift to have him as part of LIV.»

O'Neil, who has had the lead role at LIV Golf for the past 40 days, said he hopes a potential deal between Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour will open doors for his tour, which is in its fourth season. The proposed deal would include a $1.5 billion investment by the PIF into PGA Tour Enterprises, the U.S.-based tour's for-profit