Golf HOFer Annika Sorenstam is throwing her support behind former Pac-12 commissioner and WTA chairman Larry Scott to be the LPGA’s next commissioner.
Few names have surfaced as candidates for the position, but sources in recent weeks said Scott has shown interest in the role.
“Larry has been a friend of ours for nearly 20 years,” Sorenstam said in a statement to SBJ on Wednesday. “He actually advised us with my brand and our foundation when we got started.”
She added: “He was a very respected leader around the world when he ran the WTA. He did the largest women’s sponsorship deal in history and got their purses close to equal with the men. He started the Pac-12 Network when he was Commissioner there. I think he has great relationships with sponsors and the gravitas to command respect any time he enters a room. All qualities that would help in this role.”
Scott’s post at the Pac-12 ended in 2021 after 12 years running the league, a tenure that saw criticism for the Pac 12 Networks as well as the decision to move the conference’s headquarters to San Francisco.
Prior to joining the Pac-12 in 2009, Scott was the chairman and CEO of the WTA for six years. During his time at the WTA, total revenue more than doubled, while prize money jumped by more than 20%. The WTA’s sponsorship revenue also grew, as Scott spearheaded its $88M title sponsorship with Sony Ericsson.
The LPGA and search firm Elevate Talent on Tuesday sent a “candidate brief” to tour stakeholders as they seek a new commissioner to replace Mollie Marcoux-Samaan. The brief, which was obtained by SBJ, gives a background on the LPGA as a whole as well as its affiliated tournaments, memberships and communities.
As for the role itself, the job description says the commissioner “will be the beacon of leadership for the organization, driving and enhancing key relationships with members, sponsors, tournament partners, media, the Board, and other important constituents.”
Responsibilities listed include improving the LPGA’s overall economics and ensuring the tour’s business is “operated in a professional, effective, scalable, transparent, and profitable manner.”
It also mentions “fostering a culture of communication and collaboration across the LPGA ecosystem” and establishing and maintaining “trusted, in-depth relationships” with key partners including players, sponsors and other stakeholders.
As for prior experience, the LPGA is looking for someone “ideally within an aligned sector” including sports, media or a consumer-facing global enterprise.
No compensation for the role was listed.
See the full job description.
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