A US Senate panel investigating the merger of PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf asked officials from the organizations to testify publicly about the deal next month.
Panel chairman Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut scheduled a July 11 hearing for PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, executives at the Saudi Private Investment Fund and LIV Golf to testify and set a one-week deadline for them to respond to the request. Invitations such as the ones sent Wednesday are often precursors to subpoenas.
“Our goal is to uncover the facts about what went into the PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and what the Saudi takeover means for the future of this cherished American institution and our national interest,” Blumenthal said in an emailed statement. “Americans deserve to know what the structure and governance of this new entity will be.”
PGA representatives didn’t have an immediate comment on Wednesday. Last week, in response to reports that the Justice Department was examining the deal, the group issued a statement saying the agreement with LIV would unify the sport and avoid costly litigation with the Saudi investors.
“We are confident that once all stakeholders learn more about how the PGA TOUR will lead this new venture, they will understand how it benefits our players, fans, and sport while protecting the American institution of golf,” PGA said in the July 15 statement.
On Sunday, Blumenthal warned on CBS’s Face the Nation that he would consider compelling testimony with subpoenas.
Critics, including Blumenthal, allege that the Saudi-backed entity’s involvement US golf is an attempt to deflect attention from the kingdom’s human-rights record and authoritarian government.
The deal has raised concern among US and European antitrust regulators as well. The US Justice Department, which was already investigating PGA over a dispute with LIV, will review the proposed combination, people familiar with the matter have said.
Blumenthal, who chairs the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, previously requested records and communications related to the deal. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, the panel’s top-ranking Republican, joined in the request Wednesday for the officials to testify.
--With assistance from Malathi Nayak.
(Updates with PGA comment beginning in the fourth paragraph)
