A PGA Tour Inc. executive unlawfully pushed broadcasters to turn their backs on potential LIV Golf streaming deals, the Saudi-backed upstart claimed in its ongoing antitrust fight with the US legacy tour, reports Bloomberg.
LIV Golf, which debuted last year, lured several prominent golfers from the PGA Tour, including Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith, with hefty sponsorship payments, touching off an acrimonious legal battle that has splintered the world of professional golf. LIV now claims that Thierry Pascal, senior vice president of international media for the PGA Tour International, coaxed broadcasters to snub the upstart.
“Based on Tour documents and other sources, LIV believes Mr. Pascal used illegal means to dissuade numerous broadcasters in international markets from signing broadcast contracts with LIV and even from reporting about LIV events in their news content,” LIV’s lawyers said Thursday in a court filing.
A PGA Tour spokesperson declined to comment on the claim.
LIV has struggled to find broadcast partners for its tournaments and potentially gain revenue and more eyeballs. Most of the major US sports broadcasters — CBS, NBC and ESPN — have long-term contracts with the PGA Tour. It’s unlikely they would air a rival league and jeopardize that relationship. LIV also struck out with Amazon last year, Bloomberg News reported.
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