SBJ: Commissioner Bivens Open to Buyout Negotiation

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 9, 2009 12:11 PM EDT

Jon Show of Sports Business Journal/Daily reported this morning that sources near him say that Carolyn Bivens is open to negotiating a buyout. Further, the LPGA Board of Directors is contacting potential replacements.

Carolyn Bivens is amenable to taking a buyout from her post, and the LPGA BOD has authorized a golf industry exec to contact potential candidates to replace her, said sources close to the situation. As of last night, the board was not actively negotiating a buyout, said a source, but talks are expected to commence soon. While the outcome of any negotiation is uncertain, industry sources said a buyout of a basic employment contract such as Bivens’ could be completed in a week.

She is owed roughly $500,000 per year for the final two years of a three-year extension signed in ’08. Meanwhile, a representative authorized to speak on behalf of the board is contacting sports industry execs to gauge their interest in the job. It could not be determined how many candidates have been contacted.

Jon and I will be speaking on The 19th Hole Golf Show next week, but more updates as needed.

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Comments

wow – what a surprise…and how many people will scream that Bivens is “evil” because she signs a contract extension after flushing the tour down the drain – then is willing to negotiate a buyout which is similar to the “golden parachutes” that came out of the economic downturn. (nevermind that those bonuses and parachutes were parts of contracts that were already in place)

I’m guessing that no one in the media will scream bloody murder about Bivens – after all – this is a woman who clearly had the best interests of the tour at heart – not a conservative, evil, male.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 9, 2009 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Are you kidding? I think everyone and their grandmother in the media is ready to rip her to shreds the second she resigns.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 9, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

rip her for….poor management or the buyout ?

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 9, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Poor management. I think she’ll get a little reprieve for taking a buyout.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 9, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t care about the mismanagement angle – that’s old news. It’s time to look forward – if Bivens is gone.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 9, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree.

Email me any comments or questions at ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.

by Ryan Ballengee on Jul 9, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

you’re right, though. the piling on will be enormous. the media has no rule against kicking a man (or woman) when he’s down – they live for those easy targets.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jul 9, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions