Imago
LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok – Final Round LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman during the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 9, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Pathum Thani Thailand PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xVachiraxVachirax originalFilename:kalong-notitle221010_npbPL.jpg
Imago
LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok – Final Round LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman during the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 9, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Pathum Thani Thailand PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xVachiraxVachirax originalFilename:kalong-notitle221010_npbPL.jpg
While the golf world may be eagerly waiting for the encounter between the LIV Golf stars and PGA Tour players for next month’s Masters, the verbal jabs have already begun. The lucrative Tour struggled for months to find a network deal to broadcast the golf league. However, in a recent statement, the Saudi-funded Tour has blamed its nemesis for ‘sabotaging’ a previously signed mega deal.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Apart from their vocal disputes, both Tours are currently facing each other frequently in the courtrooms. Last year, LIV Golf defectors sued the PGA Tour for an Antitrust Lawsuit. In the latest hearing, the breakaway Tour’s lawyers had more reasons to prove the American Tour was in wrongdoing.
LIV Golf attorneys blame PGA Tour for their network deal trouble
During the inaugural season of the newly founded Tour, nearly all major television networks showed little to no interest in the Saudi-funded Tour. One of the rumored networks was FOX, which was closing a deal with LIV Golf.
Top Stories
I buried the lede: By accusing the tour of sabotage, LIV Golf admits it had to sign with a "secondary network," the CW.
Daggering your only partner is a move so brazen you can only respect it https://t.co/hjtqZfy96Z pic.twitter.com/xYjtF6HRP2
— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) March 23, 2023
However, the deal ended up not working out before even being inked. In the latest court hearing, the lucrative Tour attorneys blamed the PGA Tour’s managing director for the International Media division, Theirry Pascal, for sabotaging their TV deals. “LIV believes Mr. Pascal used illegal means to dissuade numerous broadcasters in international markets”, claimed the lawyers.
The attorneys also labeled the current LIV Golf’s broadcaster CW Network as a ‘secondary network’, since it mostly broadcasts syndicated programs. However, it is unlikely the media partner in question is FOX, as the PGA Tour has no relationship with the entity in question according to Golf Digest. Nonetheless, it does put the breakaway Tour in an awkward situation with their current broadcasters after the latest court hearings.
Read More: ‘A True Gentleman’: Golf World Mourns the Passing of the PGA Tour Veteran by Reminiscing His ‘Class’
While the PGA Tour has been in the world of golf for the past 92 years, LIV Golf may struggle to exit the shadow of its rivals. As the news made it to the ears of the golf fans, they didn’t hesitate from sharing their honest thoughts about the situation.
Golf world reacts to latest LIV Golf vs PGA Tour drama
Let’s take a look at what the fans on Twitter had to say:
It's kind of a shame Spike TV is no more, them and LIV would've been a perfect pairing
— Kyle Bandujo (@kylebandujo) March 23, 2023
doubly stupid given their ONLY competitive advantage LIV has was distribution by broadcasting on YouTube.
An all-time bonehead move to sign with unknown cable channel for "street cred" and turn their back on modern distribution channel.
— Derek Braid (@Royal_Arse) March 23, 2023
“I can’t believe I have to go to prom with this loser” vibes
— claire rogers (@kclairerogers) March 23, 2023
This is what is going to be so fun about this lawsuit: LIV will be arguing that they are failing miserably, proving the PGA Tour’s dominant monopoly. The PGA Tour will argue that LIV is a resounding success, proving that competitors are free to enter the market.
— Jonathan Caldwell (@JCaldwellGolf) March 23, 2023
Sounds like cw getting free money. No rights fees no production cost no reason to complain but laugh all the way to bank
— niko tatem (@niko_tatem) March 23, 2023
I don’t think the people running LIV are very competent
— Eric (@kurly99) March 23, 2023
I thought they said they were happy with their media deal and are getting lots of viewers
— dave s (@coachshalley) March 23, 2023
I thought LIV was thrilled with the CW?!? No? They bragged about the huge numbers of watchers and everything. They were lying?! Again, and again, and again LIV struggles with the truth. It’s exhibition golf that no one is watching.
— Randy (@mcdermott_randy) March 23, 2023
As fans may be waiting for the intense action in next month’s Masters, there may be more drama unfolding off the course. With both Tours trying to prevail over the other, the future of golf is still up for grabs.
Who do you think is right? LIV Golf or PGA Tour? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Watch This Story – Golf World Mourns the Passing of a Long-Time PGA Tour Caddie
Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui