• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025

LIV Golf Enlists David Ortiz To Welcome Fans To Boston Event

  • ‘Big Papi’ stars in LIV Golf video comparing baseball and golf swings.
  • LIV plots celebrity marketing strategy to attract fans.
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf is turning to one of the most popular athletes in New England sports history to promote its Boston tournament: David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

The Boston Red Sox legend will appear in a video for the LIV Golf Invitational Boston this weekend, according to Will Staeger, LIV’s chief media officer.

Ortiz will welcome LIV fans to Boston in a video debuting Friday during the first of the three-day tournament. On the planned video, the 46-year-old will humorously compare the golf and baseball swings.  

“He’s a Hall of Famer and a legend. One of the friendliest and most welcoming guys out there,” Staeger told Front Office Sports Thursday night. “We’re really excited to have a partnership with him in our coverage — and to welcome fans to Boston. And while he’s at it, have a little fun with some of the players. Have a look at what a golf swing looks like compared to a baseball swing.”

The three-time World Series champion will probably not appear in person at the International golf club near Boston. But he could zoom in to live coverage of the event on LIV’s YouTube channel and LIVGolf.com. In the U.S., the tournament will also be available on DAZN.

In the new video, Ortiz extols the skills of Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and other LIV stars.

“This weekend, they’re in my town. Boston, where revolution was born. Where the impossible became possible. And where LIV continues to up the game,” says Ortiz.

While he’s not playing due to injury, new LIV recruit Bubba Watson will also make his debut as a member of LIV’s announce team. The two-time Masters champion is expected to play on the breakaway tour in 2023.

Ortiz will be part of an ongoing marketing strategy where LIV employs sports luminaries and celebrity golf fans to help attract fans. 

The Saudi-backed golf tour is working on another famous face for its Chicago event from Sep.16-18, said Staeger, but he declined to give specifics. 

Charles Barkley teed it up and appeared on camera during LIV’s recent event in New Jersey. Actor Dennis Quaid appeared in an “Evolution” video that promoted LIV’s debut event in London.

“For each of our events, we’d like to have a significant celebrity, or sports voice who’s a golf fan, join us, and welcome fans to our event,” Staeger said.

Oritz slugged 541 home runs during his Major League Baseball career with the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. 

Since retiring, the personable Ortiz has found a second act as a baseball analyst on Fox Sports’ baseball TV coverage.  

Boston will be the rebel golf tour’s fourth event, after tournaments in London, Portland, and Bedminster, N.J. The war between LIV and the PGA Tour has divided the global golf industry.

Cameron Smith, the world’s No. 2 golfer, recently became the latest star to defect to upstart LIV from the established PGA Tour. Smith is reportedly getting paid $100 million.

“I think this is the future of golf. It’s been the same for a very, very long time,” said the British Open champion. “It needs to be stirred up a little bit.” 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’