Are the Saudis trying to buy their way into American sports? The Senate is uncovering an alarming Saudi-backed golf conspiracy that threatens the integrity of the PGA Tour. Shocking revelations and secret communications will leave you questioning the motives behind this controversial merger. Brace yourself for a ride into the dark underbelly of foreign influence.
The Senate Select Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, has launched an investigation into the highly controversial partnership between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. In a letter addressed to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, Senator Blumenthal demanded records dating back to the launch of LIV Golf in October 2021.
Last week, PGA officials announced their collaboration with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia to create a “newly-formed commercial entity to unify golf.” The PIF, controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Critics argue that LIV Golf is nothing more than a high-dollar front for the Saudi government to “sportswash” its reputation for human rights abuses.
Senator Blumenthal expressed serious concerns about the agreement, given the role of the PIF as an arm of the Saudi government. He questioned the sudden and drastic reversal of the PGA Tour’s position regarding LIV Golf and raised suspicions about the undisclosed reasons and terms behind the announced agreement. In his letter, Blumenthal requested documents and information related to the agreement to shed light on the hidden truths.
Critics wasted no time in lambasting the deal between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. PGA players, who had been vocal about speaking out against the Saudi-backed golf entity and Saudi Arabia’s poor humanitarian record, claimed to be caught off-guard by the sudden merger. Detractors labeled the organization hypocritical, highlighting the stark contrast between their previous stance and the current collaboration.
The letter sent by Senator Blumenthal shed light on the Public Investment Fund’s nature as an investment fund controlled by the Saudi government. With over $700 billion in assets, it operates under the guidance and chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia. Blumenthal expressed concerns about the Saudi government’s potential influence on the merger and the risks posed by a foreign government entity assuming control over an American institution.
Blumenthal argued that the merger appeared to be an attempt by Saudi Arabia to improve its international image in the face of its deeply troubling human rights record. By associating with a prestigious American institution like the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia may seek to soften its image and divert attention from its domestic and international human rights abuses.
In addition to requesting information about the merger and any disputes, Senator Blumenthal sought details about LIV’s corporate structure and any ongoing law enforcement investigations related to the agreement or interactions between the two golf organizations. The probe aims to leave no stone unturned, ensuring that the truth behind this controversial partnership is revealed.
The Senate investigation into the LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger has exposed shocking truths about foreign influence and the potential whitewashing of Saudi Arabia’s reputation. As the investigation unfolds, the integrity of American sports hangs in the balance.
