Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has opened an inquiry into the PGA Tour's agreement with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, citing concerns about the influence of the Saudi government and the risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over a cherished American institution. He has requested a slew of records related to the agreement from the two sports organizations to shed light on the behavior of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the PGA Tour's tax-exempt status, and any law enforcement investigations. The results of the inquiry and its implications for the agreement remain to be seen.
Posts tagged as “Jay Monahan”
The PGA Tour has recently come under fire for announcing a merger with LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed men's golf organization, prompting outrage from 9/11 Families United due to the Saudi government's involvement in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Terry Strada, chair of 9/11 Families United, has called PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan a “Saudi shill” and the Biden administration has been asked to comment on the merger. The PGA Tour has yet to respond to the criticism and the effects of the merger remain to be seen.
PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf have announced a historic merger, ending two years of disruption and distraction in the professional golf world. The deal is expected to bring a new level of competition and financial stability to the sport, and to the organizations involved. The merger comes after the PGA Tour was sued by LIV Golf last year for antitrust violations, and will end all litigation between the parties.