STORY: The US Justice Department will review the PGA Tour’s plan to merge with Saudi-backed LIV Golf to determine if it violates antitrust law…
This, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal Thursday.
The move comes after the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV announced an agreement last week to form one unified commercial entity.
The three tours had previously been involved in a bitter fight that split the sport.
The proposed transaction has prompted concern on Capitol Hill….
Most recently, US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden asked the Justice Department to open an antitrust investigation.
On Thursday, Wyden – chair of the Senate Finance Committee – said he would look at the transaction and work to revoke the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund’s special tax treatment.
LIV is currently bankrolled by the Saudi PIF.
Critics have accused the merger of being a vehicle for the country to improve its reputation as it faces criticism of its human rights record.
LIV – which launched in 2022 – lured big-name players away from the rival circuits with staggering sums of prize money for every golfer.
Professional players have said they were caught unawares by the bombshell merger announcement.