Trapped: The Ethics Nightmare of the PGA Tour/LIV Merger
Despite the last 15 months of bitter opposition, the PGA Tour suddenly announced it will merge with the controversial Saudi Arabian-backed LIV. Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, once among LIV’s harshest critics, now claims the agreement is “in the best interests of PGA Tour members.”
Like many Americans blindsided by the news, Markkula Center executive director Don Heider has questions about what led to the reversal that will bind the PGA Tour to an oil-rich country known for its notorious human rights abuses, murders, and suspected ties to 9/11.
"This was the kind of poor ethical decision that often happens when it’s done in isolation, especially with something that’s as high stakes as this. I’m sure Monahan felt very isolated, and was under a lot of pressure from a lot of different organizations, including his board. But if he would have opened it up to the membership of the PGA Tour and said: “Here are the issues we’re facing. Here is the pressure we’re facing. What do you think? What can we do?” Who knows what solutions would have come forward? But he didn’t do that."
"Again, part of the ethical decision making process is: Have you really vetted an idea with all the stakeholders? And have you fully explored alternative solutions with them? I don’t think either one of those thoughts went into this decision."
Don Heider, executive director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, interviewed by SCU Illuminate.