DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley to step down from role in April

Pelley, a native of Canada, will take on the role with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment in his hometown of Toronto.

DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley plays alongside Dutchman Joost Luyten during the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Golf on Thursday. Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images

DP World Tour CEO Keith Palley is leaving the position after eight and a half years to work in his native Canada. The 60-year-old’s surprise move comes as the DP World Tour continues negotiations with the PGA Tour to form an alliance with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which finances LIV Golf.
News of Pelley’s resignation comes a day after R&A CEO Martin Slumbers announced he would stand down by the end of the year. Pelley will become the owner of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs, NBA’s Toronto Raptors and MLS’s Toronto FC, as well as president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Guy Kinnings, current Vice President and CEO of the Ryder Cup, will succeed Pelley from April 2. “It has truly been an honor to serve as CEO of this great institution for the past eight and a half years,” said Pelley.

“When I arrived from Canada in 2015, I wanted to build a culture of innovation and grow our prize pool and members’ tournaments while attracting new, younger and more diverse audiences. “We’ve done this even more because we fundamentally embrace the philosophy that our players, staff, partners, broadcasters and fans are part of the entertainment industry.
“The role at MLSE and the opportunity to be part of my hometown team in Toronto was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Pelley’s time at the helm of the DP World Tour is sure to divide opinion after successfully leading the organization through the Covid pandemic and signing a “strategic partnership” with the PGA Tour in November 2020. It provided a much-needed cash injection when the PGA Tour acquired a stake in European Tour Productions, but as the alliance solidified in June 2022, it was also criticized for handing out PGA Tour cards to 10 players who did not have were still released. . Race to Dubai 2023.
Eddie Pepperell called it a “disaster” for business, while LIV Golf’s Sergio Garcia said the DP World Tour was a “feeder tour” for what would soon become the world’s fifth-biggest tour. This sparked an angry response, saying Pelly played a key role in the founding of Saudi Arabia but was never given an effective opportunity to fully cooperate with the kingdom.
“I know a lot of people still cite the Malta [July 2021] meeting and the $1 billion offer Saudi Arabia made us as the main reasons to say we have an opportunity with the Saudis. It’s missed. Pelley says BMW 2022 He said this before the PGA Championship. “There is only one word to describe this claim and that is ‘false’.
“Ask any board member and they will unanimously confirm that this was not an offer or transaction, but rather a marketing pitch prepared on behalf of Gulf Saudi. “When it was considered by the board on September 7, 2021, it was rejected.”