Ari Emanuel is the CEO of Endeavor, which owns UFC and talent agencies IMG and WME. He recently appeared on Freakonomics radio to discuss how Endeavor considered investing $1 billion in LIV golf.
Emanuel said that Phil Mickelson, Bryce DeChambeau, and Endeavor had internal discussions about a proposed investment of $1 billion in LIV Golf. This is currently financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The plans for investment failed due to Endeavor’s ties with professional golf and Emanuel’s relationship with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
Emanuel said, “We are all connected in golf.” “(The PGA Tour said) ‘Please do not do it. So we stopped. Jay and I are friends. Jay is a very important business partner. “I don’t wish to harm Jay.”
I told Jay that we were pulling out. Emanuel added, “But you’ve got to find an economic solution because… it will force you.” “And he did. “To his credit, Jay did a fantastic job.”
LIV Golf has filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour in connection with antitrust violations. The U.S. Department of Justice also investigates the Tour’s anticompetitive practices in relation to LIV.
LIV Golf is a sport that has been used by Saudi Arabia for years to cover up its poor human rights record. The Kingdom is accused of a wide range of human rights violations, including torture, political killings, forced disappearances, and inhumane treatment for prisoners. Saudi royals and government officials were also accused of being involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, a Saudi journalist, Washington Post, who was murdered at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
Emanuel stated that he does not have a moral position on LIV’s funding by the PIF, and he’s not concerned about sportswashing.
I haven’t given it much thought. He said, “I have a lot on my plate.” “They are doing what they do.”
Emanuel claimed to have met Saudi Arabia’s Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman once to discuss a business deal. He described him as “as charming and charming as possible.”
Emanuel exclaimed, “He is incredible.” “He had a vision of bringing back entertainment and movies. He wanted to spend $30 Billion on entertainment. It’s not money, but I can do the math. $30 billion is a lot of money. “I thought his vision was amazing.”
Emanuel quickly covered his remarks by saying: “But let’s make something very clear.” I don’t defend what they did. You know, my brother has been in the White House twice. Every country is guilty of bad acts. “They just don’t do that in an embassy.”
