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In case you’ve been living under a rock, you missed quite a bombshell in the world of sports last week.
After over a year of fighting, the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series called a truce when the two sides, seemingly out of the blue, announced a merger.
At least, that’s what the deal was called. It later emerged that the PGA Tour could not afford to keep up legal battle with the state-backed league. So instead, the Saudi Public Investment Fund will “invest” in the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, while the future of LIV is unknown.
Ultimately, Saudi Arabia now appears to control the PGA Tour, which it essentially just bought. And with a suggested $650 billion in the bank, it could easily afford to do so.
In fact, it appears that Saudi Arabia could purchase almost anything it wants to, including, even the NBA.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently appeared on the Dan Patrick Show and discussed the possibility of Saudi Investment in the league he runs.
“People are a little too dismissive these days about the benefits that come from the commonality around sports,” Silver said while discussing the PGA Tour deal.
He did go on to note that sportswashing concerns associated with Saudi Arabia makes investment from the country a “two-edged sword,” but stated that it was also an “an opportunity to bring people together.”
Though Jamal Khashoggi and his family may debate that last part as it appears dividing people is more their thing.
Silver did state that he has not yet been approached about a potential deal.
They certainly haven’t come to the league office,” he said.
But it sure seems he’s angling for one. And it may not be long until it gets done if both sides are interested.