The maverick golf league’s head honcho, Greg Norman has been waxing lyrical about LIV Golf’s most recent hire as they prepare for the 2025 season.

After a thrilling conclusion at the Team Championship finals in Dallas that saw Ripper GC snag a victory and a cool $14m, LIV Golf isn’t just resting on their laurels but is amping up its team and not just on the greens. With the 2024 season wrapped up, all eyes are looking to February when the new season tees off in Riyadh.

While all the buzz might usually be about the biggest swinging talents, LIV Golf is shoring up its squads off-course too. Enter Ilana Finley, a former Nike and Converse VIP, who’s stepping in as the communications chief for the league. It’s not the flashy player acquisition fans might expect, but Norman couldn’t be more upbeat.

“She knows first-hand the challenges and opportunities that exist when growing a global brand and she understands how to align competition, culture and entertainment to deliver a product that fans embrace,” he enthused. “Ilana is a skilled leader and communicator with a sincere passion for positively impacting teams and communities around the world, and LIV Golf is proud to have her on board.”

Joining the buzzing scene of LIV Golf, Finley shared her enthusiasm just like Norman, stating: “Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to drive impactful storytelling with global brands that are committed to building connections with diverse audiences by thinking boldly and being unafraid to take chances, and LIV Golf is doing just that.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m thrilled to help champion the League’s commitment to innovation, creativity and teamwork while making a positive impact around the world.”

Ilana Finley and Maria Sharapova

Ilana Finley and Maria Sharapova ( 

Image:

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Nike)

The hiring spree continues at LIV as they recently brought general managers on board for their teams. The champions Ripper snapped up former WME/IMG employee Nick Adams, and Richard Glover, who was vice president for the ATP Tour, will contribute to team Stinger.

In other significant appointments, Jonas Martensson, who served as the CEO of Minecraft, has been chosen for Cleeks, while esports savant Martin Kim throws in his lot with Iron Heads.

LIV Golf is set to spice up the golf season starting 2025 by scheduling their games directly against marquee PGA Tour events, including the Phoenix Open, Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players, marking a bold move.

The PGA and LIV stunned the sports world last June by agreeing to a merger framework, but it’s uncertain how far they’ve come since then. PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, CEO of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, are expected to meet in Scotland this week. However, their attention will be on competing in the pro-am Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.