• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

LPGA Commissioner Leaving After Brief Up-and-Down Tenure

LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan is resigning less than four years after joining the women’s golf tour. Prize money is up for the LPGA, but questions about Marcoux Samaan’s leadership were growing.

LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after the final round of golf during the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Sunday, November 19, 2023.
Chris Tilley/Imagn Images

The LPGA is looking for a new commissioner after announcing Mollie Marcoux Samaan will step down following a brief tenure of just over three and a half years. 

The resignation will be effective Jan. 9, 2025, when Liz Moore, the LPGA’s chief legal and technology officer and corporate secretary, will assume the role of interim commissioner. The LPGA Board of Directors will work with an executive search firm to conduct a global search for a new commissioner.

Marcoux Samaan was hired in May 2021, and her five-year contract was supposed to run until 2026. In 2022, her salary was just under $1 million, according to the LPGA’s tax return.

She had been criticized in several leadership areas despite overseeing a prize money increase of more than 90%, culminating with a record $125.95 million in 2024, and another increase on the way in 2025.

Critiques ranged from the LPGA’s relationship with Golf Saudi, a lack of clarity around the tour’s gender policy, and the loss of various tournament sponsors in recent years.

“I focus every day on trying to support the athletes, to try to grow the tour, and to try to make this the best place in the world to play and to give additional opportunities to girls and women,” Marcoux Samaan said two weeks ago when asked about criticisms of her tenure ahead of the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. 

“So I feel like the statistics and the stats really speak for themselves. I think we’re experiencing enormous growth,” she said. “That’s really what my job is. So I’m just dug in on it, and I do the best I can every day.”

Marcoux Samaan was the athletic director at Princeton for seven years before joining the LPGA. Before that, she was the EVP of the Chelsea Piers Connecticut sports and fitness complex. Marcoux Samaan’s predecessor at the LPGA, Mike Whan, spent 11 years as commissioner before taking the USGA’s CEO role.

There has been a lot of change atop golf’s top tours and governing bodies this year.

The R&A—golf’s governing body outside of the U.S.—appointed Mark Darbon as its new CEO in July, replacing Martin Slumbers, who retired. The PGA of America is set to announce a new CEO soon, following the resignation of Seth Waugh in June.

LIV Golf is also searching for a new CEO to replace Greg Norman, whose contract expires in 2025. Last week, former NBA and NHL executive Scott O’Neil was reported to be close to accepting that job, first by Sports Business Journal. O’Neil led the business operations of the 76ers and Devils while working for those teams’ parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

January 5, 2025; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Hideki Matsuyama hits his fairway shot on the 13th hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament at Plantation Course at Kapalua.

PGA Tour’s January Season Opener in Jeopardy With Kapalua Closed

The Plantation Course in Maui won’t reopen until at least Nov. 1.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.