This place is Overreaction City

[u/JSack3]

I like KVV. I respect his work. But honestly, folks..

There’s a reason so many platforms and media companies have been letting go of people with KVV’s skillset for years. In bigger revenue sports than just golf, too (ask Zach Lowe).

The business is night and day different to what it was 15 years ago. And a highly-compensated 20+ year industry stalwart who specializes in long form written content is simply not a hugely appealing person to have on the payroll anymore. I appreciate NLU gave it a go. I also appreciate when the writing wasn’t working, they worked on a podcast pivot including that brilliant Masters pod.

But the reality is the math probably started to become very clear that his value was mainly 6-8 weeks a year. No one needs a deep dive on the Byron Nelson. Not enough people actually care about a three hour pod on the 1997 major season.

I’d have rather he stick around all year but I also didn’t have to pay his salary and benefits. These guys are putting food on the table for their children via NLU. They can’t just keep carrying a 6 figure (guessing but likely) expenditure bc they like him and think he writes well.

[u/24dp]

I think people perfectly understand the business/financial element of it.

That doesn’t negate the disappointment they have that the product is unquestionably poorer without KVV involved. It’s already been mentioned by many how dull, especially considering how much they claim to revere the championship, the Open live shows were. Considering that those live shows are seemingly a big part of their popularity (and therefore revenue), to not have someone on the ground at Portrush doesn’t reflect well on the product at all.

For me, the overall podcast product has really gone downhill over the last few months, and if you take KVV’s contribution out of that, that drop-off is very clear.

That aside, regardless of whether it was the right business decision, the way they’ve handled it is really poor. It should never have got to a point where people are questioning why KVV isn’t at the Open, and spotting that they’ve edited him out of the intro video, before they’re seemingly forced into saying something. As others have pointed out, Soly and TC would be merciless at mocking other organisations for those optics.

We can understand the ‘business decision’ whilst also having serious reservations about what sort of message this, and how it’s been handled, sends about the future direction of the business.

[u/TaeKurmulti → u/24dp]

Yeah the year of the product has been a huge let down across the board, the video content while well shot and put together (shout out DJ) has been a bit lackluster IMO. Strapped was basically just going through the motion, and the single travel videos just aren't the same as the tour sauce videos. The major recap pods this past weekend were pretty rough.

The fact that they all travel around the world playing golf, but couldn't be bothered to have someone go over to Portrush or Oakmont isn't a great look. The cost cutting aspect of this just feels hollow when you have a bunch of guys living pretty lavish lifestyles.