The PGA Tour is the world’s most elite professional golf league. So one can imagine how its decision to merge with Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf would rattle the course. But the ever growing Saudi shadow on the world sports is continuously landing leagues in controversies and crises. 

The heat of Saudi money is being felt beyond the golf course. Earlier this week, SA’s soccer club Al-Hilal proposed a $776 deal to the French footballer, Kylian Mbappe. By the looks of it, Saudi has got more money to offer than most leagues. And this could potentially threaten Adam Silver’s NBA. 

Mr. T rejects a 9-figure Saudi deal

Shortly after the PGA-LIV merger, Tiger Woods was approached with a high nine-digits deal in exchange to play for the Saudi-backed golf league. According to the CEO Greg Norman, Tiger Woods rejected the $800 million offer. In the past, LIV Golf has poached top golfers from the PGA with the promise of big payouts. So, LIV enticing Woods with a big cheque is not even a little surprising. 

Most athletes are trying to steer clear of Saudi-backed leagues. Why? Because, many believe, these Saudi leagues are a facade to ‘sports-wash’ everything.  

Read More: Soccer Star Karim Benzema’s $600,000,000 Saudi Contract Leaves Behind NBA Billionaires LeBron James and Stephen Curry by a Mile

It is no coincidence that Saudi is actively spending its $650 billion public investment fund on acquiring international golf and soccer players.

LeBron James’ tweet gets the NBA worried

Amidst all this, NBA’s rockstar, LeBron James, jokingly tweets about running off to Saudi Arabia. Along with a GIF that’s got Forrest Gump prancing onto the road, James writes, “Me headed to Saudi when they call @RichPaul4 & @mavcarter for that 1-year deal!”

SA has squeezed its way into golf, soccer, wrestling, and F1. Could basketball be next? Unquestionably, yes! 

Saudi PIF has the kind of money it takes to influence the cream of the crop. NBA Commissioners, David Stern and Adam Silver spent years trying to make NBA a global league. Hence, fans believe, it would be a shame if Silver’s top ballers were tempted to join the Saudi basketball league with whopping contracts. 

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So, would LeBron James or Nikola Jokic or Steph Curry, or any NBA athlete for that matter, turn down a multi-million dollar per year contract? Who’s to say? Saudi money sure shines bright and it has the potential to wreak havoc in Silver’s NBA.