Credit: Sports Business Journal
Nearly a decade after its departure from Doral, the PGA Tour is preparing to make a high-profile return to Miami — and it’s bringing back an old partner. According to industry sources, Cadillac is expected to reclaim its role as title sponsorwhen the Miami Championship tees off next spring from April 30 to May 3, positioned between the Masters and the PGA Championship.
This revival reunites two iconic names in golf — Doral and Cadillac — which last joined forces for the WGC Cadillac Championship from 2011 to 2016. The event’s return not only reestablishes a historic venue but also reflects the Tour’s evolved commercial landscape, now driven by record-breaking sponsorship deals and prize purses.
A Return Shaped by a Changed Landscape
The PGA Tour’s exit from Doral in 2016 was widely linked to political tensions surrounding Donald Trump, who had purchased the resort in 2012. However, then-commissioner Tim Finchem cited Cadillac’s non-renewal as the primary reason, noting that the Tour was unable to secure a replacement sponsor at the time. The departure effectively ended one of golf’s most recognizable events.
Now, amid golf’s financial renaissance, Cadillac’s return signals a renewed confidence in the sport’s commercial power. Signature event sponsorships are currently priced between $25 million and $30 million annually, with long-term agreements funding the Tour’s expanded prize pools. For comparison, Truist reportedly committed $200 million over seven years for its Charlotte-based event — a benchmark Cadillac’s deal is expected to match.
Cadillac’s Broader Sports Expansion
For Cadillac, the Miami Championship marks more than a return to golf — it’s part of the automaker’s broader push into global sports marketing. By reentering the PGA Tour at a time when golf’s audience is diversifying and globalizing, the brand is positioning itself at the intersection of luxury, performance, and modern storytelling.
365247 Insight
The Miami Championship revival underscores golf’s growing status as a premium commercial platform. For the PGA Tour, it represents both a nostalgic restoration and a strategic statement — proof that legacy venues and luxury brands still hold magnetic power in the new era of sports business.
With Cadillac’s return, Doral isn’t just hosting a tournament again; it’s reclaiming its place as a symbol of golf’s modern evolution — where history meets high finance.
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