Judge's ruling will be welcome news for PGA Tour/LIV Golf...for now
Per a report, a district judge has partially denied the New York Times' motion to unseal docs relating to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf ended all their litigation a matter of days after the 'framework agreement' with the Saudi PIF was announced.
But there is still one matter involving both organisations that is making its way through a U.S. district court.
On 16 June the PGA Tour and LIV filed both filed motions to dismiss their claims with prejudice.
That was significant and means that they cannot be revisited in the future even if an agreement is not reached before the end of the year.
But the New York Times wanted to do some digging and on the very same day filed their own motion to unseal docs pertaining to both parties.
The paper argued it is a matter of public interest.
Per various reports, it has now been confirmed district court judge Beth Labson Freeman has partially denied the Times' motion.
Freeman has given LIV Golf attorneys two weeks to make arguments to articulate why the docs should remain under seal.
Golf Digest reported the judge writing:
The publication also reported that Freeman has appeared to indicate the NYT would not prevail.
She warned:
As mentioned, there is a deadline for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's backers, the Saudi PIF, to reach an agreement by 31 December.
But that could be extended.
In the meantime there are a number of obstacles in the way. Players have more power now that Tiger Woods has joined the PGA Tour's policy board.
US lawmakers have also got involved and are probing the deal, raising concerns about the Saudi government.
Two high-ranking PGA Tour execs Jimmy Dunne and Ron Price have already provided testimony in a congressional hearing.
There were a number of bombshells.
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| Despite PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan expressing confidence a deal would be agreed with LIV Golf's backers before the end of the year, behind the scenes it appears negotiations aren't going well. pic.twitter.com/IUnzP9l6IK
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 24, 2023
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wasn't at that senate hearing, nor was LIV Golf supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan and their chief executive Greg Norman.
Monahan missed the hearing because of a medical issue that has now been confirmed to be anxiety induced by the agreement that represented a monumental about-face tour management policy.
He said in his press conference before the Tour Championship he would give testimony in the future if asked.
Monahan said:
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Read more:
- Tour pro SLAMS merch Bryson DeChambeau selling in honour of LIV Golf 58
- European LIV Golf pro: I'll be watching the Ryder Cup...without the commentary
- Legendary tour caddie: LIV Golf trio should be next Ryder Cup skippers
- LIV Golf mastermind told: "You can't have it both ways!"
- LIV Golf pro throws Jay Monahan, Keith Pelley under the bus! "They need to go"
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