According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, the planned merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will be investigated by the United States Department of Justice.
According to sources, there are antitrust concerns as reported by WSJ.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden wrote a letter to the DOJ stating that the PGA Tour’s merger with LIV Golf may be in violation of antitrust laws. The statement was made one day prior.
The Justice Department’s review of anticompetitive behavior by the PGA Tour and other leading golf bodies creates uncertainty for the planned joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. It is likely that any agreement between the two parties will be delayed as a result.
Read more: Warren Demands DOJ Closely Scrutinize PGA Tour’s Saudi Deal
A senior official from the PGA Tour stated that the merger with two golf entities is unlikely to have a known outcome for at least a year, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The DOJ conducted an investigation into The Tour last year following a warning from commissioner Jay Monahan to golfers that participation in the LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament would result in an indefinite suspension. As a result, seventeen players were suspended for their involvement in the tournament.
On June 6, the PGA Tour announced a significant agreement to unite global golf leagues under one organization, stating it as a landmark decision.
LIV Golf is a professional league that was established in 2022 and is financially supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
