As one may assume, the Ladies Professional Golf Association struggles to acquire and retain viewers. Some of the league leaders believe that the high number of asian women in the league may be alienating some viewers. To combat this, the LPGA issued a rule that a player for the LPGA must speak English. Not even a week later, the LPGA changed the rule so that they do not have to speak English, but if they do not they are highly encouraged to learn the language. This rule was changed due to the backlash they received in the media.
This may have been the worst course of action that the LPGA could have taken to gain more viewers.
First of all, the LPGA should take a hint from their more popular male counter-parts in the PGA. The PGA is historically known for playing courses all over the world and embraces the competition offered by the European league. Even more specifically, the LPGA should look at the success of the NBA and MLB. It is hard to watch a baseball game without listening to an interview from a player that can barely speak English. Be it either Japan or one of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico, American baseball is a phenomenon in these areas. The same could be said about basketball in China. These phenomenon occur because the foreign players in this league have not only become successful, but also, they are embraced by the American fans.
When the LPGA tries to keep these players from the league, they should understand that they are in turn keeping away some American fans. This is also preventing the league from becoming hugely popular in a foreign market. At what point, did any of their public relations employees think, "Hey! That's a great idea!" If they did think that they should be fired and the LPGA should hire me. This should be seen as one of the biggest PR flubs in recent memory.
