The impending merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has caught the attention of a Senate panel, which has called for a hearing to discuss the matter. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, has expressed concerns about “what the Saudi takeover means for the future of this cherished American institution and our national interest,” as reported by the BBC . Invitations have been sent to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, LIV Golf League CEO Greg Norman, and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, by the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The merger was announced earlier this month, ending the competition between the two organizations.
The Antitrust Division of the Justice Department and the Senate Finance Committee are already conducting investigations into the agreement, according to ESPN. However, the PGA Tour’s policy board has not yet approved the deal. Senator Blumenthal, chairman of the panel, has emphasized the need for transparency, stating in a press release, “Americans deserve to know what the structure and governance of this new entity will be.” The PGA Tour has issued a statement expressing their willingness to address the panel’s concerns. Nevertheless, the Guardian reports that it is uncertain whether Rumayyan will agree to appear, as Saudi officials have argued for sovereign immunity in the past to avoid public testimonies and depositions in the US.
In addition to the hearing, the Senate panel has requested access to records relating to the partnership between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as mentioned by CBS Sports. Specific documents being sought include communications between the two organizations, any instances of disagreement, information about the PGA Tour’s tax-exempt status, and organizational charts for the newly formed entity. The PGA Tour intends to reassure players that it will retain control over both the existing organization and the new one, as reported by the Golf Channel, in an effort to counter the perception that the merger is more of a takeover. (Read more PGA Tour stories.)
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