PGA Tour raises new doubts about LIV Golf merger in leaked memo to players

The PGA Tour is still negotiating with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund about their framework agreement, but it appears the US-based tour is looking elsewhere for investors.

The PGA Tour is considering welcoming more investment  from new Saudi  allies, with doubts over its proposed merger with LIV Golf.

In June, the PGA Tour confirmed it had reached a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund  (PIF)  to  end the ugly dispute between the Tour and the LIV structure. Since then, the two sides have continued to negotiate, with a deadline set for December 31  to reach an agreement.

As negotiations continue, the US-based league has provided an update  to players, confirming its intention to reach a deal with PIF, but admitting it is open to  offers Investment comes from elsewhere. According to ESPN, the memo said:
“We remain focused on reaching a definitive agreement with PIF and  DP World Tour, but it is no surprise that these negotiations have resulted in unwanted moves and proposals from some investors. other investors are interested. All  this activity reinforces the  strong position of the Tour and our potential for growth.”

According to the report, there have been doubts about the deal with  Saudi backers, with a final agreement “far from being done”. If negotiations fail, the Tour will have many partners ready to  replace PIF.

“There is no shortage of interest from big-money organizations to invest money in exchange for a piece of the PGA Tour,” an ESPN source said. “LIV Golf is not going  away. Therefore, the tour will need a lot of money to continue facing the Saudis…

“I don’t think there will be any problem for them [the PGA Tour] in finding partners who are wealthy enough.” The US Department of Justice’s antitrust agency is currently reviewing the deal but  is said to have encountered a number of problems.

Source commented:
“I don’t think that will  happen. I don’t think the Department of Justice will approve a merger with the PGA Tour. And I don’t think the Saudis are happy with the amount of influence they have in a merged entity.” . For these reasons, I don’t think the merger will happen.”

Bloomberg reported last week that the December 31 deadline would be extended, causing negotiations to take longer than expected. Another obstacle both sides are said to have encountered is the contribution of PGA Tour players, who are said to be seeking a stake in the joint organization. Players are  advised by investment bank Raine Group.