, the proposed partnership between the PGA Tour DP World Tour Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and is gaining a lot of attention.
The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Wednesday invited PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf League CEO Greg Norman, as well as PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, to testify in an hearing on Thursday. Chairman of the subcommittee, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and ranking member Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) sent out an invitation.
Blumenthal wrote in his letter: “Our goal is uncovering the truth about the PGA Tour deal with Saudi Public Investment Fund, and what this Saudi takeover means to the future of the cherished American institution as well as our national interests.” The Americans deserve to know the structure and governance for this new entity. The major players in the deal should be able to answer this question in public. They owe Congress and the American people answers.
Today, I invite the PGA Tour commissioner, LIV golf CEO & Saudi Public Investment Fund governor to appear before my Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. We must get to the bottom the planned agreement between PGA & Saudi funded LIV Golf. pic.twitter.com/FlYD4vpmCh
Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal 21 June 2023
Johnson added that “fans, players and citizens with concerns have many questions regarding the planned agreement between PGA Tour LIV Golf.” I am looking forward to hearing from those who can provide the public with the most insight into the current state professional golf. I hope this hearing, and any other role Congress plays in the matter will be productive.”
The PIF and Tours announced the framework for a new global entity of golf two weeks ago. Both the U.S. The Department of Justice, as well as the Senate Finance Committee, have both announced investigations into this proposed deal. It still needs to be approved by PGA Tour policy board.
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf both dropped all pending litigation last week as part of the framework to create the new entity. However, the New York Times motioned to unseal all documents pertaining to both LIV’s claim and Tour’s counterclaim due to public rights under the First Amendment and Common Law.
