BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Senators concerned about pending PGA-LIV Golf deal

  • Experts concerned PGA-LIV Golf deal is part of Saudi Arabia campaign to protect Crown Prince from accountability for human rights offenses

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

BE - Test Share

More Sports

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118165728

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241118184948

** Editor’s Note: Nexstar’s CW property has an ongoing broadcast agreement with LIV Golf.


WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate put the PGA Tour and LIV Golf back in the hot seat as they are concerned over their pending deal.

The hearing Wednesday was looking into Saudi Arabia’s Public Interest Fund and why lawmakers said it should be subject to U.S. laws and oversight.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers announced they are ready to use their subpoena powers to investigate the deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-owned LIV Golf tour.

“It must be subject to United States law and oversight,” Blumenthal said.

The governor of the Saudi’s Public Interest Fund, or PIF, did not attend Wednesday’s hearing, but that’s not stopping Blumenthal from demanding all records related to PIF’s investment in the U.S.

“The issues here go beyond golf,” Blumenthal said.

A review of PIF’s SEC filings shows that its public U.S. holdings have increased from approximately $2.5 billion in 2018 to more than $38 billion today.

“If I was to evaluate on how many billions they’ve spent doing their sports washing,” Johnson said, “it doesn’t seem like they’re getting a good value for their dollar.”

Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said buying influence in U.S. sports won’t change public perception of Saudi Arabia overnight.

“This is a long-term influence investment,” said Benjamin Freeman, Democratizing Foreign Policy Program Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft director. “You know it might take years, it might take decades. It’s going to be very subtle.”

Experts are concerned that the PGA-LIV Golf deal is just one part of Saudi Arabia’s campaign to ensure the Crown Prince isn’t held accountable for human rights offenses.

“He’s increasing his economic power immensely,” said Joey Shea, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Human Rights Watch researcher, “and as I said, has unilateral control over the PIF.”

Sports

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241119133138

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

56°F Clear Feels like 56°
Wind
2 mph S
Humidity
88%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
50°F Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph E
Precip
15%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Last Quarter