LPGA Lawsuit: Unpaid Fees From Broadcasting Partner and Sponsor

LPGA Tour Files Lawsuit Against Korean Broadcaster JTBC+ for Non-Payment of Dues

The Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour filed a lawsuit in the Southern District Court of New York against JoongAng Ilbo Co., Ltd, operator of JTBC Plus, responsible for broadcasting LPGA Tours events throughout South Korea. In the lawsuit filed at Southern District Court of New York is also JTBC Plus’s longtime sponsorship and underwriting of many LPGA events since 2009.

Reports indicate that the lawsuit is intended to recover large amounts owed. The exact financial claim was not disclosed but the LPGA Tour clearly wants to recover funds that the defendant owes.

A spokesperson for the LPGA, highlighting the severity of the situation, said: “We confirm that on Tuesday we filed a lawsuit in the Southern District Court of New York and we’ve communicated this to our members.” Beyond that, we can’t comment on litigation in progress.

This financial dispute directly impacted on the LPGA calendar. Financial difficulties forced the cancellation of the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship scheduled for April. Nelly Korda won the first 2024 tournament, which had a purse of $2 million, and received $300,000.

Oh Young-min’s statements, obtained in 2024 by Media Today, a Korean news outlet, reveal the extent of financial problems. Oh Young Min acknowledged that broadcasting fees owed by the PGA to the LPGA had not been paid.

Oh Young-min confessed, “In reality, we’ve been holding back by not paying the PGA or LPGA broadcasting right fees.” We have been trying to reduce PGA/LPGA broadcasting fees since April and March of this year.

Media Today also reported on the JTBC Plus restructuring. This includes the layoff of approximately 80 staff due to significant financial deficits.

The LPGA Tour filed a lawsuit against JTBC Plus in 2020 for breach of contract. The PGA Tour also sued JTBC Plus for unpaid fees in Florida in 2021. This case was settled in 2022.

JTBC Plus has a prominent position in South Korea as a cable network that offers an array of content, such as sports, news and TV shows.

South Korea’s market is still important to the LPGA Tour because of its rich golfing history. The country has produced legends like Se Ri Pak and Inbee park, as well as Jin Young Ko. Even though they represent other nations, players like Lydia Ko, Minjee Lee and others also help to promote Korean golf internationally. It is crucial that this dispute between JTBC Plus and the LPGA Tour be resolved in order to maintain the LPGA Tour’s influence on the South Korean golf market.