Finchem Issues Video Plea To Players

Looking like he'd been kidnapped, Tim Finchem issued a plea to PGA Tour players for upbeat messaging and overall call to not act like entitled brats in '09. Lit by an Ikea fluorescant bulb lamp tilted sideways by an unnamed PGA Tour VP who made the cost-cutting suggestion, it was reported by SBJ's Jon Show that Finchem suggested the slugs add an event here or there, you know, for the effort.

"We’re asking every player to add a tournament or two to their historical schedule to assist the tournaments that historically have weak fields,” Finchem said. "We have a lot of title sponsors this year that are up for renewal. We have to put our best foot forward in terms of presenting our competitions." On the subject of showing appreciation to sponsors, whose payments range from thousands of dollars to millions, Finchem asked players to spend more time visiting corporate hospitality areas and “make your feelings known about the role of the sponsors, both publicly and in private communication to leadership of our sponsor companies."

I guess Tiger didn't pass along the video link to Stevie Williams:

He also requested that players avoid making negative public comments about the Tour. "We want players to be, No. 1, upbeat and positive about what the PGA Tour is doing and where we’re going,” Finchem said. "We want you to be excited about the competitive opportunities that you have. And third, we want you to talk about PGA Tour properties when you describe what this year, 2009, is all about. Particularly the FedEx Cup." He also asks players to be more involved in charity functions during tournament weeks. Before closing by wishing the players happy holidays, Finchem said, “I want to thank you in advance for the additional commitment that I know you’ll be making in 2009.”

Is that thanking them in advance part like a Corleone saying "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse"?

Oh and Freddie Couples must feel good that the Commish has a painting of him on the office wall.

Comments

[jason]

My God, I thought these guys were independent contractors. This is borderline Orwellian.

[Tighthead]

I would say that they are dependant contractors. They should heed some of Finchem's advice on the health of the golden goose.

[Papa Bing]

Was that Greg Norman in the background?

[Mike C.]

Go Freddie !!! Woo Hoo !!!

[On Tour]

I think the idea is good but the execution is poor. What he's asking is for more personal attention and TLC out there but then he delivers the message by video? How out of touch can you get? What this needed is some palm pressing and baby kissing!

[jason]

Let's be honest though. Which players are really going to make a difference, whether or not they play a given event? I think we can make a pretty small list. In fact, it only has one name on it...

[On Tour]

Jason it takes a village....

[Hawkeye]

Deeply, deeply disturbing. Why shout out from the rooftops that "the product" delivered in previous years is not going to cut it when it's time for renewal of contracts? Why advertise that he is so concerned about the Race to Dubai that he wants to muffle the players on it? Why admit that the FedEx Cup doesn't generate enough interest on its own? "Hey' fellas, I'm up Deep Shit Creek without a paddle, and I want the world to know!" This guy's worth five million a year?

[Doug]

Wouldn't this message have been better delivered in person to the one person it was meant for...ahem, cough, cough...Tiger.

[Old Tom]

Hawkeye, you have missed the point completely. I'm not saying he is worth the 5 mill, but at least he is trying to get the players to understand that it isn't going to be business as usual, and they bear some of the responsibility for helping support the Tour. A lot of these guys just milk the tour for all she's worth and have earned very nice livings doing what we all do for fun and relaxation. He could take the approach that the CEO of GM has taken for the last number of years and pretend there isn't a problem, (that seems to be what you are suggesting) and the tour will be asking for a bailout in a few years. Since these guys are "independent contractors", the tour could simply change the terms of the contract and take some huge cuts off the purses of the tournaments to help keep costs down.......do you think the players would like that????

[Hawkeye]

Old Tom, I'm not missing THE point (all his points are valid), but you are missing mine - some things just aren't cut out for public consumption. This message is one of them.