By Actually the new Commissioner will only take the job on a interim basis. Evans, a retired Navy Rear Admiral, has already made it clear she isn’t interested in the job long term. A search committee has been formed to find a new successor.
If you want a thorough run down on Evans life, read Ryan’s post at Waggleroom.
So the Brand Lady is out. I repeat what I said last week, it’s about time. The LPGA schedule isn’t just in taters, but a long list of tournament sponsors were seriously unhappy with the way they were being treated. Miss Bivens may not have liked it, but without tournament sponsors their wouldn’t be a tour and antagonizing them in foolish ways was beyond assinine. It was destructive to ladies professional golf in the United States.
Some bloggers, Stephanie Wei and Brent Kelley for two, think we’ll see the Bivens era in a more positive light after a few years have passed. I couldn’t disagree more strongly. The LPGA has been seriously damaged and it will take a few years at least to get its house back in order. The long term television contract that Bivens landed as nice as it looks, can’t change the fact that the Golf Channel will still often show LPGA tourneys on tape delay due to its PGA contractual obligations. Nor do I expect the Network to suddenly focus more attention on the LPGA. That’s unless Michelle Wie finally gets a grip on that talent she has and starts a run at #1 player in the world. I still think that can happen.
My own opinion is barring Michelle Wie taking off, the LPGA will still be a niche sport and a very weakened one because of Carolyn Bivens actions during her time as Commissioner.
Hound Dog, The Constructivist, and Jay Busbee are also blogging on today’s news.
9:23 am on August 27th, 2009 1
Wegmans extends deal for three years
ESPN.com news services
The LPGA Tour has told players that the Wegmans LPGA event in Rochester, N.Y., will continue for the next three years, a win for the tour which has struggled to maintain a robust schedule in 2010.
The event is the 15th confirmed event for next season. It will maintain its $2 million purse.The deal also includes three one-year options, which could ultimately make it a six-year deal.
The extension of the contract for the Wegmans event was in doubt after meetings with former LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens earlier this year, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. "I was very concerned because we didn't have an agreement and it didn't seem like the LPGA was interested in hearing about our concerns about the economy," said Wegmans LPGA co-Chair Jerry Stahl:
Interim commissioner Marty Evans, who took over for Bivens in July, was vital in getting the deal done, Wegmans Food Markets VP/Special Projects Bill Strassburg told the Democrat & Chronicle.
The Sports Business Journal reported Thursday that two more events — the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic and P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship, are also expected to re-up, which would give the LPGA a total of 17 confirmed events.
The LPGA continues looking for a new commissioner. Reports say an executive search firm has begun interviewing candidates this week.
1:37 pm on August 27th, 2009 2
This may be good.