US Senate criticizes LIV-PGA Tours deal

In the committee, Democratic US Senator Richard Blumenthal took aim at the “repressive” Saudi Arabian regime, which is trying to buy “influence” in US sports through the state fund PIF. PGA representatives spoke of a planned Saudi investment that would amount to more than a billion US dollars.

PGA Tour COO Ron Price and board member Jimmy Dunne testified before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in Washington, which is chaired by Blumenthal. “The PGA Tour is not that big in terms of the number of players,” Dunne warned. If the rival series LIV, which is financed with Saudi money, poaches five players a year, “they could take us out in five years,” said Dunne, explaining the need for the agreement.

A “betrayal” “Today’s hearing is about much more than the game of golf,” said Blumenthal. “It's about how a brutal, repressive regime can buy—even take over—influence over a treasured American institution just to clean up its public image. A regime that has killed journalists, imprisoned and tortured dissidents, promoted the war in Yemen and supported other terrorist activities.” The senator spoke of a feeling of betrayal.

The Justice Department, which is investigating the PGA Tour for trying to stop its players from defecting to the LIV Tour, could sue to block the deal. In addition, the agreement could also be examined to see whether it harms national security. Blumenthal told Price and Dunne they still had a chance to stand up against sportswear and the Saudi monarch and stand up for America. “There’s something that stinks about this path you’re on right now. Because it’s a surrender and it’s all about the money, and that’s the reason for the backlash you’re seeing,” the senator said.

The Senate committee also released a 276-page memo containing new correspondence about how the master agreement between the PGA and LIV Golf came about. It appears that the PGA, in a side agreement with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, demanded that LIV boss Greg Norman be fired after a final deal was reached. A proposal has also emerged for golf stars Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to own LIV golf teams and compete in at least XNUMX events on the breakaway tour. Both players had repeatedly criticized the LIV.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

US Senate criticizes LIV-PGA Tours deal

Representatives of the US Senate criticized the framework agreement for the PGA, World Tour and LIV golf series announced in June at a hearing on Tuesday.

Comments (0)