LIV Golf chief govt Greg Norman climbed Capitol Hill this week searching for lawmakers’ assist for the upstart tour amid its ongoing antitrust lawsuit in opposition to its PGA rivals, however was as a substitute accused of spreading propaganda for his Saudi Arabian backers.
Norman confronted questions over LIV Golf’s financing, which comes from Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, as legislators from each events accused him of losing Congress’ time on a enterprise dispute between the excursions. LIV Golf and 7 of its gamers lately sued the PGA Tour over alleged antitrust violations, stemming from the Tour’s determination to ban any golfers who signed with the Saudi-backed circuit.
‘They needed to speak about antitrust, and I may care much less,’ Congressman Tim Burchett (Republican-Tennessee) informed the Washington Publish. ‘It isn’t Congress’s job. We’re a rustic of legal guidelines; take it as much as the courts. That is the place it must be, not within the halls of Congress.
‘How within the hell are we losing any time speaking a couple of bunch of millionaires and a golf sport?’ he continued. ‘That is all simply Saudi propaganda.’
LIV Golf chief govt Greg Norman climbed Capitol Hill this week searching for lawmakers’ assist for the upstart tour amid its ongoing antitrust lawsuit in opposition to its PGA rivals, however was as a substitute accused of spreading propaganda for his Saudi Arabian backers. Norman was joined by Atul Khosla (proper), LIV Golf’s Chief Working Officer
Congressman Tim Burchett (Republican-Tennessee) has very vital of Norman’s efforts
In a tweet, Burchett echoed among the commonest criticisms of the Saudi Arabian regime
On Twitter, Burchett later echoed frequent criticism of Saudi Arabia: ‘Weren’t Saudis flying a few of these planes on 9/11 and what about their killing of @washingtonpost columnist #JamalKashoggi?’
Saudi Arabian cash has remained a supply of controversy all through LIV Golf’s transient existence.
With the promise of assured contracts and $400m in prize cash, Norman’s outfit has already lured away among the largest names in golf, together with Phil Mickelson, who reportedly signed with the upstart tour for $200m.
On Wednesday, a number of lawmakers particularly objected to the proliferation of Saudi cash.
‘Do not are available in right here and act such as you’re performing some good thing whilst you’re pimping a billion {dollars} of Saudi Arabian cash and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the USA,’ stated Congressman Chip Roy (Republican-Texas).
Roy despatched a letter to Legal professional Common Merrick Garland in July urging the Justice Division to analyze LIV for allegedly failing to register as a international agent.
Burchett additionally criticized the optics of golf executives lobbying Congress.
‘It simply ticked me off,’ Burchett stated after leaving a gathering with Norman, former schooling secretary Betsy DeVos and 64 different members of the conservative Republican Examine Committee.
‘Everyone’s assumption of Congress is a bunch of nation clubbers on the market enjoying golf with millionaires. By bringing Greg Norman in right here, they’ve simply perpetuated that fable much more.’
Congressman Chip Roy (Republican-Texas) accused Norman of ‘pimping’ Saudi Arabian cash
Regardless of the criticism, LIV Golf seen Wednesday’s conferences as a constructive.
‘Greg Norman had a really productive day on Capitol Hill at the moment in entrance of some 60 members of Congress,’ LIV spokesman Jonathan Grella stated in a press release Wednesday. ‘His message about the advantages of competitors was very nicely obtained, even when a pair members of Congress say in any other case.’
Norman additionally had his personal message for lawmakers on Instagram.
‘To the 100 bipartisan lawmakers I met inside the previous 24 hours on The Hill: thanks. Thanks for the chance to go to and inform @livgolfinv’s story.
‘Freedom of speech and free enterprise kind the bedrock of what this nation was based on. Competitors is an important a part of the DNA of the USA. Competitors breeds excellence. With out competitors, there isn’t any capitalism.
‘I loved assembly each one in every of you and sharing our imaginative and prescient of golf diplomacy. On a nationwide stage in addition to a worldwide stage that is true: golf is a drive for good.’
For its lobbying efforts, LIV employed Hobart Hallaway & Quayle Ventures, in keeping with the Publish. Wednesday’s scheduled conferences included visits with Home Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (Democrat-South Carolina), and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (Republican-South Carolina), who chairs the Congressional Golf Caucus. LIV officers additionally met with West Virginia’s senators, in addition to some members of Home management and a few members of the Home Judiciary Committee.
A number of lawmakers had already been vital of LIV Golf, together with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat), who accused the tour of attempting to ‘cowl a blood-stained hand’ with a ‘golf glove.’
Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat-Illinois) has been very vital of the Saudi Arabian regime
Eleven gamers initially filed the lawsuit in opposition to the PGA on August 3, however Jason Kokrak, Pat Perez and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz and Abraham Ancer have since withdrawn their names.
LIV has been intertwined with political points from the very begin, with Mickelson admitting to writer Alan Shipnuck in February that Saudi Arabia — whose Public Funding Fund is financing the big-money LIV tour — had been ‘scary motherf***ers’ with a nasty human rights document.
A number of huge names, together with main winners equivalent to Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and DeChambeau, have been lured to the startup circuit with profitable offers equivalent to signing bonuses reportedly price as a lot as $100million to $200million.
Former President Donald Trump has supported LIV in its makes an attempt to rival the PGA Tour. Trump Nationwide Bedminster in New Jersey hosted LIV’s third occasion and Trump Doral in Miami will host the season finale.
Critics say LIV Golf, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, quantities to ‘sportswashing’ by a nation attempting to enhance its popularity within the face of criticism over its human rights document.
Since 2021, the PGA Tour has paid $360,000 to the agency DLA Piper to foyer lawmakers on a number of matters together with ‘Saudi Golf League proposals’, in keeping with CNBC.
Former President Donald Trump talks with Greg Norman, CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, on the primary tee throughout day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership Bedminster on July 31