Golf- PGA and LIV

[mrsd2006]

Anyone been following this story? After a long contentious year of lawsuits and drama and mind boggling absurd amounts of money being handed out, it's been announced that the two leagues will merge into one in a shocking move. 

LIV is funded by the Saudis, who have been accused of "sportswashing" their human rights abuses by throwing hundreds of millions at players (in soccer as well). 

Key players like Rory McIroy and Tiger Woods took a hard stance against joining LIV- Tiger reportedly turned down $800 million to do so. 

It will be interesting to see how it pans out- the deal isn't 100% finalized. 

And a bill has been introduced to strip the PGA of it's tax exempt status. 

[mrsukyankee]

I think they are going to lose a good lot of their viewing public, though not enough. I'd retire early if this happened and I was part of the PGA.

[TR]

Most of my knowledge of this comes from watching Full Swing, but I’m REALLY surprised. Also, how are they going to explain this to the players who turned down hundreds of millions of dollars to play for LIV because they didn’t want to be banned from the PGA Tour and now it’s nbd?

[Bad Dingo]

It sounds like it is an acquisition being called a merger. Either way, I doubt it'll change much. Money talks.

[wanderingback]

Jun 8, 2023 10:32:07 GMT -5 TR said:

Most of my knowledge of this comes from watching my Full Swing, but I’m REALLY surprised. Also, how are they going to explain this to the players who turned down hundreds of millions of dollars to play for LIV because they didn’t want to be banned from the PGA Tour and now it’s nbd?

Yes, I had zero knowledge of golf, but watched that documentary and learned so much and found it very interesting. I wish they would’ve gone more in to racism and golf, but anyway….
It’s not surprising that they changed their minds cause money talks but yeah the loyal players must be so so pissed!

[breezy8407]

I followed golf a lot more closely when Tiger came on the scene, and have gone to a few majors and the Ryder cup. H still watches the majors and a lot of my male work friends are really into it. I was really shocked, and I think the players were, too. Especially the ones who took a stance against LIV.

[fluffycookie]

My husband is convinced that the PGA agreed to this because if not LIV/PIF would drag this out for years and it would be a lot of money. My husband was offered tickets to the LIV event in Mass and said nope and he is a huge golfer. I feel for the players that took a hardline stance against LIV and that the news was leaked before they were officially informed.

[StrawberryBlondie]

My dad's an avid golfer and is PISSED.

[Bad Dingo]

Sen. Richard Blumenthal launches probe into PGA Tour-Saudi alliance (gift article)

[neverfstop]

yea, this whole thing seems reallllllly shady. Like did the saudi's just come in with a few more billion $ and pay off the PGA? I'd be shocked if this deal goes though. I feel terrible for the PGA pro's who refused all that money and "Stayed loyal" to the PGA.

[mrsd2006]

The Saudis are doing the same with soccer. They reportedly offered Messi 1.6 BILLION over 3 years. He declined that offer. Insane money.