The war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf could soon be restarted due to a massive offer the golf league may have recently received from the group that owns the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC
Earlier this year it was announced that the top three golf circuits in the world — PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf — were putting aside their ongoing litigation and ending their rivalry with plans for a shocking merger. For fans, the news was met with excitement, but for some, the revelation was met with frustration and concern.
Related: PGA Tour merger with LIV Golf reportedly dead or dying
Players who remained loyal to the PGA felt betrayed after they passed on massive signing bonuses to stay with the legendary tour. Plus, members of Congress had concerns about the Saudi Arabian government — which is the owner of LIV Golf — having an influence and financial power over a popular American sports league.
Since the announcement of a merger framework, the three leagues have made little progress towards a deal being finalized as they navigate the various resistance the deal has received. With a December deadline looming, new reports have suggested an agreement may never come, and it has led some wealthy American companies to see if they can step in and take the Saudi’s spot as a major investor.
LIV Golf could be ‘outbid’ for PGA Tour by Fenway Sports Group
Last month, it was revealed that Endeavor, the company behind the UFC and WWE merger, under TKO Holdings Group, had made an offer to be an investor in the PGA. However, they are not the only group that has made a play to help the Tour in a potentially renewed war against LIV Golf.
On Monday, Fenway Sports Group Chairman Tom Werner confirmed to CNBC that they had also made an investment offer to the PGA. The confirmation comes a week after golf journalist Alan Shipnuck wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Fenway Sports Group had made a “monster bid to usurp the PIF.”
Related: LIV Golf reportedly failed at luring Jon Rahm away from PGA Tour this year for surprising reason
“There’s growing speculation that Fenway, which owns the MLB’s Boston Red Sox and soccer team Liverpool FC, could come through with an offer that could top the Saudis’ bid. The PGA Tour-LIV Golf combination was never finalized beyond a framework agreement,” CNBC reports.
The major reason behind the PGA’s decision to merge with LIV was due to an understanding that competing with the billions LIV has would not be realistic in the long term. However, having industry support and huge financial backing from a billion-dollar firm would certainly make it a fairer fight if it restarts.