Senate Democrats rip PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal, call on regulators to examine merger
Senate Democrats have raised concerns about the PGA Tour’s recent decision to merge with the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league. The agreement will unify the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund-supported LIV Golf circuit into one entity. While the merger seemingly ends nearly two years of feuding between the leagues, some Democrats are calling on US regulators to probe the deal.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) criticized the merger and accused the PGA Tour of betraying the long history of sports and athletes who advocate for social change and progress. He also expressed concerns about the deal’s implications, stating that he will keep a close eye on the structure of the agreement.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) revealed in a tweet that PGA Tour officials were in his office just months ago arguing that the Kingdom’s record on human rights should “disqualify them” from being financially involved in a US sports league. Murphy noted that the recent change of heart by PGA Tour officials raises concerns about their true motives.
The Department of Justice had already been conducting an antitrust investigation into professional golf, including the PGA Tour’s fight with LIV, before Tuesday’s announcement. Some Democrats believe that the merger will need to be scrutinized by US regulators, and they expect the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to examine the deal as well.
Former President Donald Trump celebrated the merger on social media, calling it “GREAT NEWS.” His golf courses have been used for both LIV Golf and PGA Tour tournaments.
FAQs:
What is the PGA Tour?
The PGA Tour is an organization that operates professional golf tours in the United States and North America.
What is the LIV Golf league?
The LIV Golf league is a Saudi-funded professional golf league that launched in 2021.
What is the merger agreement between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf league?
The merger agreement will unify the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund-supported LIV Golf circuit into one entity.
Why are Senate Democrats concerned about the merger?
Some Democrats believe that the Saudi government’s record on human rights is concerning and that the PGA Tour should not have financial involvement with the Kingdom.
What is the Department of Justice’s investigation into professional golf?
The Department of Justice is conducting an antitrust investigation into professional golf, including the PGA Tour’s fight with LIV.
Will the merger agreement be scrutinized by US regulators?
Some Democrats believe that the merger agreement will need to be scrutinized by US regulators, and they expect the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to examine the deal as well.
Regulators called upon by Senate Democrats to scrutinize the merger between PGA Tour and LIV Golf, criticizing the deal.
Senate Democrats have criticized the PGA Tour’s decision to merge with the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league, calling on US regulators to investigate the deal. The merger agreement, which unifies the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund-supported LIV Golf circuit into one entity, appears to end nearly two years of conflict between the leagues. However, some Democrats are unhappy about the deal. “The PGA Tour has placed a price on human rights and betrayed the long history of sports and athletes that advocate for social change and progress,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also revealed that PGA Tour officials were recently in his office arguing that the Kingdom’s record on human rights should “disqualify them” from being financially involved in a US sports league. The Department of Justice had already launched an antitrust investigation into professional golf, including the PGA Tour’s fight with LIV, before Tuesday’s surprising merger announcement.