Spending over two decades devoted to the sport that shaped her, Michelle Wie West took up an early retirement, leaving many to question her decision. But Wie West, being decisive on her stance, shared how she would choose to spend some “guilt-free time” with her kids post her retirement. However, despite taking a step back from the competitive realm, Wie West never stopped voicing her opinion to make the sport provide a better ground for women. And now, it appears, she has found renewed optimism in the LPGA’s future under its new commissioner.

Bidding farewell to the professional realm, Wie West is now concerned about how to make sure that women get the right opportunities in the sport. The Golfing legend also recently tried to contribute to the cause by investing in a women’s sports platform, Togethxr, which promoted the slogan, “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports”. Now, as the LPGA has a new commissioner, Wie West is looking forward to having better days in the sport.

Michelle Wie West joined Dam Roberts in the Portfolio Players podcast on 22nd October. During the chat, Wie West revealed her thoughts about the new LPGA commissioner, Craig Kessler. “I’m very excited about our new commissioner. We talk a lot about the state of the tour, the future of the tour. I think he is extremely bright. I think he has the right past experiences, past job experiences, to be the right person for the job. And I’m very excited to see where it all goes.”

Roberts also asked Wei about her thoughts on recent leadership changes and ongoing issues in professional golf, especially the tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced plans to merge in 2023, but that merger has not yet materialized. And that has left players, sponsors, and fans in limbo about what the future of professional golf looks like. The host, Dan Roberts, wanted to hear about the retired golfer’s opinion on the unresolved scenarios in the sport. Admitting that it’s a tough question to ponder upon, Wie West shared her optimistic approach.

She replied, “I’d like to believe that there’s people smarter than me that are handling the situation. Um, but, you know, obviously kind of in my post-retirement phase, still very involved with the LPGA tour, very passionate about, you know, bettering the tour, making it a place.” 

Acknowledging the hard work of the players and leaders who came before her, who helped grow the LPGA Tour, Michelle Wie West continued, “I feel like there were, um, you know, so much work done to get the tour to the place where it was where I could make a living off of it.” Now that she’s retired, she feels a personal responsibility to give back. And reflecting upon that thought, the US retired star added, “I feel a lot of responsibility to try to better the tour as well and just keep it moving for the future generations.”

After her retirement, Michelle Wie West shared, “I feel like I’m in a place where I can make a difference. I have the time and space to do so.” Indeed, she’s making sure to make a difference, be it with her stance or by voicing her unapologetic opinion. 

Michelle Wie West calls out how women’s sports are treated like charity

The 36-year-old athlete shared a bold stance, claiming that she believes women’s sports are treated more as “charities”. Wie West began her journey on the course at the age of just fourteen. And as years passed, with her shots on the grass, she made sure to be one of the leading figures not just in golf, but for women’s sport as a whole. While having the conversation with Dan Roberts, she shared her take on the current position and the future of women’s sports. 

“I think a lot of times women’s sports was seen as charity.” Further explaining her stance, she continued, “I mean, I’m guilty of saying it too: ‘Oh, we’ve got to show up for women’s sports. We’ve got to support women’s sports.’ And it feels like a charity aspect.” Comparing the condition of women’s sports, she shared, “You’d never say that, like, ‘oh, I need to support the NFL.’ It sounds ridiculous saying it, right?”

Spending decades to build a pedestal for herself as an athlete, Wie West has seen the reality of women’s sports better than many. And that makes it clear why the American star could voice her opinion in the way she did.