Phil Mickelson reacts on social media as the PGA Tour’s 2024 finances are released

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Phil Mickelson jumped ship from the PGA Tour in 2022 in order to join LIV Golf.

Ever since then, there has been somewhat of a war of words between Mickelson and the PGA Tour.

Mickelson has always made his feelings about the PGA Tour and the USGA very clear, often taking it upon himself to be the lead spokesman for his fellow pros.

The 55-year-old’s main reason for leaving the PGA Tour was that he felt the players were not getting a fair share of the pie, so to speak.

And ever since he left, Mickelson has been a fierce advocate of LIV Golf.

LIV recorded record losses in 2024 and now the PGA Tour’s financials from the same year have come to light.

Phil Mickelson reacts as the PGA Tour’s 2024 finances come to light

The Sports Business Journal released the PGA Tour’s tax filings from the 2024 season on Friday, highlighting $760M in revenue, $1.2 Billion in expenses and assets totalling $3.8 Billion.

However, in classic Mickelson style, he responded to the release of the PGA Tour’s finances with a hint of cynical sarcasm.

Mickelson took to his official X account and reacted to the news.

He said: “Assets totaling $3.8 billion but sold to SSG based on a $12.5 billion valuation?

“I wonder where the other $8.7 billion is that was factored in. Just kidding. That was rhetorical, I already know.“

It’s not quite clear what Mickelson was actually referring to with his cryptic response.

However, he has always suggested that the PGA Tour withholds more money from the players than they should, so his gripe may well be centered around that.

It’s also worth noting that the total revenue figures don’t fully reflect the reality due to the change in structure, with SSG coming on board nearly two years ago now.

What benefits do SSG bring to the PGA Tour?

Back in January 2024, Strategic Sports Group (SSG) invested an initial $1.5 billion into PGA TOUR Enterprises, a figure that will rise to around $3 billion.

SSG is a consortium made up of super-wealthy sports club owners and the move was designed to give the players more equity in the Tour.

However, is SSG’s partnership with the PGA Tour a good thing?

Well, in theory, it most definitely should be.

SSG’s cash injection into the Tour will provide real financial stability for many more years to come.

In addition to that, nearly 200 PGA Tour players have had the chance to become equity holders in the for-profit entity that is PGA TOUR Enterprises.

That means that their interests will always be aligned with the long-term success of the PGA Tour.

Finally, the expertise of so many successful sports club owners now on board with the PGA Tour will help with strategic moves required to always remain one step ahead of LIV Golf.

Whether SSG’s investment into the PGA Tour is a smart move for both sides will only become clear in time.

However, as things stand, Phil Mickelson clearly believes his move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf was the right one.