Saudi-funded LIV Golf merger with PGA Tour changes US sports landscape
The Saudi Public Investment Fund now holds a major stake in a US sports competition, leading to both economic and political ramifications. Criticism of the Saudi investment in professional golf is continuing, including in Congress.
The merger between the Saudi-funded LIV Golf and the PGA Tour this week was a historical event, demonstrating the kingdom’s entry into the US sports market as well as the success of its diversification efforts, despite persistent criticism.
One former professional baseball executive said that this is only the start of Saudi investment in US sports.
“I think that people in the United States better get used to the idea that money from Saudi Arabia is going to be infiltrating US sports and it’s starting now,” David Samson, who served as president of the Miami Marlins and Montreal Expos, told Al-Monitor. “This is the beginning of their involvement in US sports, not the end.”
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