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Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LIV Golf reaches two major anniversaries with an uncertain future ahead
We're in the midst of two pretty significant anniversaries for LIV Golf. If you weren't aware of that, well, that's one of the many challenges that the breakaway golf league continues to face, month after month, year after year. Three years ago on June 9, 2022, LIV Golf's first-ever event teed off at the Centurion Club in London. Two years ago on June 6, 2023, LIV Golf and the PGA Tour announced a stunning 'framework agreement' that brought an end to the legal hostilities between the two tours and, in theory, laid the groundwork for future reconciliation and unification. Advertisement Now, in 2025, the dream of a LIV-PGA Tour unification seems about as likely as Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open next week … and no, Tiger Woods is not playing in the U.S. Open next week. Whatever LIV Golf is now, 'threat' is not it … and for all the PGA Tour's many missteps, misfires and mistakes, there's a very clear leader in the match-play duel between the two. It's worth remembering that for several months in 2022, LIV appeared to pose an existential threat to the PGA Tour. Yes, that first tournament was more spectacle than competition, but it did feature some of the biggest names in the sport — Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia — and some astounding paychecks. Soon afterward, Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka and Bryson Dechambeau would join LIV, giving the breakaway tour a shot of juice and attitude the PGA Tour, at the time, simply couldn't match. Advertisement The problem for LIV, though, was that attitude and gobs of cash were pretty much all the series had to offer. For instance, do you remember who won that first LiV Golf tournament? (Charl Schwartzel.) Do you remember literally any significant moment from any LIV Golf event? (Mayyyyybe DeChambeau's 58 in 2023 , but did you watch it live?) That's the fundamental problem for LIV Golf — it's a series that still, three-plus seasons on, hasn't yet found a way to connect with most fans on a deep level. And two years out from the 'framework agreement,' the PGA Tour doesn't seem particularly inclined to do anything but wait out LIV until its Saudi financial backers either capitulate or pull the plug entirely. This month marks those two significant anniversaries for LIV, but the real dates worth paying attention to are the ends of the most notable LIV contracts — specifically, those of Koepka and DeChambeau. Along with Jon Rahm, the two rivals-turned-bros are the most notable and globally competitive players on LIV, and unlike Rahm, their contracts are coming up for renewal soon. LIV has succeeded in its effort to bring the game of golf around the world, like South Korea, but is still struggling to maintain any relevance. (Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) (Han Myung-Gu via Getty Images) What they do next will shine a bright light on LIV's future path. Do they opt to re-sign with LIV, betting that the tour will increase its relevance? Or do they opt to end their contracts and sit out the year the PGA Tour requires to re-join its ranks? (They could, theoretically, still play in majors and on other non-LIV tours around the world, just not on the PGA Tour itself.) Advertisement DeChambeau, in particular, is an interesting case. You could argue that LIV Golf is only his third-most-important golf commitment, behind the majors — where he's once again winning and threatening — and his own social media channel. You could also argue that LIV needs DeChambeau a whole lot more than DeChambeau needs LIV right now. The Mad Professor's next move will be a fascinating one to watch — and one he will surely describe in minute detail. It's worth noting that LIV Golf is positioning itself as an organization whose goals aren't measurable by typical metrics like U.S. television ratings or existing fans' buy-in. The goal, as Mickelson noted earlier this week prior to LIV's Virginia event, is to expand the game's reach beyond what the PGA Tour can accomplish. 'We want all the best players in the world to be able to compete against each other more often and on a global scale, and the model that I was a part of for decades just didn't allow for that,' Mickelson said. 'We never played against each other. We didn't have elevated events. We never played all of us against each other outside of the majors. It was not able to move internationally. When they did have tournaments and [World Golf Championships] internationally, a lot of players didn't play. That's disappointing from a sponsor standpoint, from a fan standpoint. When you're paying for these events and television and you don't know what you're buying, that's frustrating.' LIV has managed to snare some young potential future stars, including Tom McKibbin and Josele Ballester, and that could point to a viable future for the tour if it can sustain for that long. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were both once 'potential future stars' themselves, for instance. And there are certain LIV events — most notably Australia — which have resonated with local audiences. So far, though, LIV hasn't demonstrated it can elevate its own stars let alone create new ones. But on a grander scale, LIV continues to face an uphill fight, a much more challenging one than its founders envisioned — or at least publicly proclaimed — back when LIV burst into existence. On its third anniversary, LIV's future is cloudier than it was on Day One. We'll see where things stand on the fourth.
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A Boost For Luxury—And Men—as LVMH's Celine Lands A First In Korean Duty-Free
Celine brand ambassador Dohoon of boy band TWS at the Celine flagship store opening in Seoul in ... More November 2024. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/WireImage) Shinsegae Duty Free has opened luxury fashion brand Celine's first dual-gender boutique in South Korea's large, but troubled, duty-free market. The shop is in Terminal 2 of Seoul's Incheon International Airport where Shinsegae also operates boutiques for Bottega Veneta, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. LVMH, whose stock has crashed by 22% in the first quarter—with sales at its fashion and leather goods division dropping by 5% to just over €10.11 billion ($11.4 billion)—has been busy trying to revive the division. It is the largest by far, accounting for about 50% of the company's total sales of €20.3 billion ($23 billion) in Q1. The French luxury conglomerate has taken several actions. Its fêted Louis Vuitton brand has become the title partner of the Australian Grand Prix; Loewe has brought in Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez as creative directors to replace JW Anderson; and at Celine, new creative director Michael Rider will unveil his first collection in July, good timing for Shinsegae's new unit. The dual-gender Celine concept store is in the duty-free area of Incheon Airport's T2 and, as well as competing with the brands mentioned above, it is also up against other big luxury names. Rival duty-free retailer Hyundai operates boutiques for Balenciaga, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, and Salvatore Ferragamo. As the Celine store is the first of its kind in South Korea's duty-free market it should attract attention if Shinsegae markets it well. The large unit will sell a wide selection of men's and women's collections in a single, cleanly designed space that aims to showcase the French brand's creative identity. The men's selection is available to Korean duty-free customers for the first time, and the boutique is also debuting Celine's women's footwear line in the country's duty-free sector. Last year, Celine—founded in 1945 by fashion designer Céline Vipiana and headquartered in Paris—expanded its Triomphe leather goods line and has successes with its Plein Soleil collection. The brand also launched a new fragrance, Zouzou, and Le Rouge Celine lipstick. Celine also opened three flagship stores in Osaka, Japan; in Seoul in November where Celine brand ambassador Dohoon of boy band TWS fronted the launch (see main image); and Paris, in 2024. A new flagship store, or rather a change of location, is also planned this year on Via Montenapoleone in Milan, according to LVMH, whose brands have a powerful grip on what is one of the world's most fashionable streets. Celine's new airport store is the first to host both men's and women's collections in Korean ... More duty-free. Back in Seoul, Shinsegae Duty Free said of the new dual-gender airport store: 'By housing both men's and women's lines under one roof, it offers travelers a diverse shopping experience, allowing customers to explore Celine's full lifestyle offering in a single destination.' Inside, shoppers will also find the Celine Art Project, a signature element of the brand's global flagship stores. The Incheon boutique includes works by Korean sculptor Yoonsin Kim and Mexican artist Tania Pérez Córdova, adding some cultural depth to the store. In line with this approach, Shinsegae Duty Free has also just opened a former landmark bank building in the Myeong-dong shopping district in Seoul, where Chanel takes the limelight at what the retailer hopes will become a luxury destination. Called 'The Heritage' it opened followed a long renovation. Earlier this year the company closed its Busan duty-free store. In 2024, Shinsegae, the third-biggest duty-free operator in Korea after Hotel Shilla Duty Free and Lotte Duty Free, saw a sales increase of 4.7% to 2,006 billion Korean won ($1.41 billion) despite weak airport sales and a higher rental burden due to a sharp rise in exchange rates. The sales boost was in line with a small rise in the duty-free market overall last year, but since Covid the general trend has been downwards.
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
J-Hope Earns His First Solo Top 10, Joining (Most) Of His BTS Bandmates
J-Hope earns his first solo top 10 hit on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart with 'Mona Lisa,' as ... More it debuts at No. 9, raising his personal best showing. WONJU, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 17: J-Hope of BTS reacts after being discharged from military service at the army's 36th Infantry Division on October 17, 2024 in Wonju, Gangwon-do province, South Korea. J-Hope is the second BTS member to complete the 18-month mandatory military service, which is required for all able-bodied male citizens in South Korea before they turn 28. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) Jung Hoseok — better known to the world as J-Hope — is having a spectacular year. The South Korean superstar has racked up wins left and right throughout 2025, adding to an already-impressive collection of accomplishments both as a soloist and a member of BTS. While he's collaborated with some major names recently, his new release sees him pushing a tune on his own… and with 'Mona Lisa,' he doesn't just earn another hit, he scores one of his biggest solo placements yet on the global stage. 'Mona Lisa' opens in impressive positions on both of Billboard's worldwide song rankings this week, and its better showing comes on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. The tune enters that competitive chart at No. 9, instantly becoming J-Hope's highest-charting solo release. This win also marks the first time one of his solo offerings has reached the top 10 on the Global Excl. U.S., which ranks the most-consumed songs each week across the planet, minus data from the United States. According to Billboard, 'Mona Lisa' debuts with more than 30 million streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. On top of that sum, the track sold 18,000 copies around the world in its initial frame. J-Hope is now the latest BTS member to break into the top 10 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. as a soloist. That leaves RM as the only one still waiting for a top 10 smash. Jung Kook leads the pack with seven solo appearances inside the region, followed by Jimin with five, V with four, and Jin with three. As 'Mona Lisa' lands between Nos. 1 and 10, J-Hope now ties Suga, who also claims just one top 10 solo hit on the chart. As a group, BTS has already collected 11 top 10 smashes on the Global Excl. U.S. throughout the years – though not for some time. Over on the Billboard Global 200, 'Mona Lisa' comes close to breaking into the highest tier, but ultimately falls just short. The single opens at No. 14, which is still a stellar showing for J-Hope, who adds another entry to his solo discography. This tune marks his eighth solo appearance on the Billboard Global 200. 'Mona Lisa' represents a special career milestone for J-Hope, as it outperforms all his previous solo releases on the Global Excl. U.S. He's come close to the top 10 before, but never quite made it, until now. Both 'More' and 'Sweet Dreams' with Miguel peaked at No. 12, missing the highest tier by just a few spaces. That second track was released in March, and debuted only a few frames ago. 'On the Street' with J. Cole, another favorite featured in J-Hope's solo catalog, reached No. 16 in 2023.
