Mollie Marcoux Samaan is out as LPGA commissioner, meaning one of the biggest women’s professional sports organizations in the world is seeking new leadership at a time of exploding popularity in women’s sports.
Marcoux Samaan’s tenure was plagued by high-profile missteps — zero players showing up for an important sponsor event, and transportation issues causing fans to miss the start of the Solheim Cup, for instance — but it was not without its positives. Purses have continued to rise — Jeeno Thitikul earned $4 million for winning the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, which well exceeds the salary cap for an entire WNBA franchise. Fan interest is growing, at the same time. She also faced a difficult situation upon her hiring in 2021, going from Princeton athletic director to succeeding the popular, highly communicative Mike Whan.
So what will the next commissioner inherit? Here are five distinct challenges the LPGA is facing, from its place on TV to its policy on transgender athletes.
Title sponsors are leaving
Marcoux Samaan leaves just as the tour is announcing a record-setting prize fund for 2025, but the tour has simultaneously been riddled with controversy, disappointment and even major sponsor departures from big-name tournaments.
The LPGA’s Founder’s Cup…
