The LPGA filed a complaint in federal court this week to recover alleged unpaid funds from its South Korean media partner, Front Office Sports reported.
The defendant is JoongAng Ilbo Co., Ltd., the parent company of broadcaster JTBC. The Korean network has been a part of several LPGA Tour dates in the past, including the Hugel-JTBC LA Open and the JTBC Founders Cup.
Interim LPGA commissioner Liz Moore has told players that the purpose of the complaint is “to enforce a guarantee agreement with a JTBC affiliate to recover the unpaid amounts,” according to a memo obtained by Golfweek.
“For now, we are not terminating our agreements and will continue honoring our obligations to avoid disruptions in tournament coverage in Korea,” Moore wrote. “However, if JTBC fails to meet its broadcast commitments, we are prepared to implement alternative solutions.”
According to a translated report from a Korean media outlet, JTBC has admitted not paying the tour while trying to negotiate a better deal.
“In fact, we have been holding out by not paying the PGA and LPGA broadcasting rights fees,” JTBC Plus CEO Oh-Young min said in an internal meeting, per Front Office Sports. “We have been working to lower the PGA and LPGA broadcasting rights fees since March and April of this year.”
The LPGA contract with JTBC expires at the end of the year, according to Golfweek. JTBC’s media-rights relationship with the LPGA began in 2010.
–Field Level Media
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