LIV Golf (Saudi PIF), "Mergers," and More

[iacas]

Where is Brian Davis' $7B Commanders Bid Coming From?

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Brian Davis’ $7 billion bid for the Washington Commanders has led to many questions, including the true source of the funds.

The bid to buy the Commanders may be from the same source as the funds paying for LIV.

Will the NFL allow this?

Especially for a Washington, DC-based team?

[Elmer]

43 minutes ago, iacas said:

Where is Brian Davis' $7B Commanders Bid Coming From?

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Brian Davis’ $7 billion bid for the Washington Commanders has led to many questions, including the true source of the funds.

The bid to buy the Commanders may be from the same source as the funds paying for LIV.

Will the NFL allow this?

Especially for a Washington, DC-based team?

I can see it now.
The Commanders games will only be 3 quarters, and scheduled once a month.

The team will opt for cargo shorts as part of the uniform.
They will blast Kid Rock, Travis Tritt or techno at unbearable volume the entire game!

 

[Elmer]

 

Getting bumped for syndicated episodes of the Goldbergs and informercials!

Seems to be going great over on the CW.

 

Edited May 15, 2023 by Elmer
Corrected link

[Elmer]

How difficult is it to count to 10?

LIV will no longer report viewership data from US broadcasts

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It's been nearly two months since LIV has released a viewership report, and the company doesn't plan on revealing information in the future.

 

[chriskzoo]

On 4/4/2023 at 8:52 AM, DeadMan said:

 

This is a big deal for the LIV players. They are running out of ways to get world ranking points - now all they have is Asian Tour events. Also, no LIV players at the Ryder Cup. 

The Euros will not have LIV players, but I don't think that's been ruled out for America.  If someone qualifies based on points (Brooks is really the only one with a chance), they will be on the team. 

[Golfer20]

I loved what Brad Faxon had to say here:

Brandel's hatred of LIV is almost getting a little weird at this point...

But then this interview with former Golf Channel employee Lisa Cornwell popped up in my Twitter feed today and I feel like it explains a lot about Brandel and the person he is:

She even has an entire chapter in her upcoming book dedicated to him (chapter 13). 

 

[phan52]

Should LIV players be able to play in Majors and the Ryder Cup? If they qualify, yes. Should they be able to play this week at the Memorial? Absolutely not. They quit the PGA Tour when they joined LIV. I don't think there is an argument to be made to allow them to play PGA Tour events. They would be taking spots from qualified Tour members. 

[ChetlovesMer]

On 4/18/2023 at 9:55 AM, iacas said:

Where is Brian Davis' $7B Commanders Bid Coming From?

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Brian Davis’ $7 billion bid for the Washington Commanders has led to many questions, including the true source of the funds.

The bid to buy the Commanders may be from the same source as the funds paying for LIV.

Will the NFL allow this?

Especially for a Washington, DC-based team?

The NFL is anxious to get rid of Dan Snyder. They are also anxious for a black majority owner. My bet is they will accept the bid. Brian Davis has said several times that the money isn't coming from the Saudis. I have no reason not to believe him. If it is coming from the Saudis either the NFL will discover it during the vetting process or it will leak and we'll all find out about it anyway, so I don't think it's in Davis's best interest to lie about it. There could be lots of reasons why he doesn't want everyone to know exactly where the money is coming from. I'm hoping and expecting that his reasons for keeping it partially a secret are legit. 

[DaveP043]

14 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

The NFL is anxious to get rid of Dan Snyder. They are also anxious for a black majority owner. My bet is they will accept the bid. Brian Davis has said several times that the money isn't coming from the Saudis. I have no reason not to believe him. If it is coming from the Saudis either the NFL will discover it during the vetting process or it will leak and we'll all find out about it anyway, so I don't think it's in Davis's best interest to lie about it. There could be lots of reasons why he doesn't want everyone to know exactly where the money is coming from. I'm hoping and expecting that his reasons for keeping it partially a secret are legit. 

All of this is rather moot now, since it is the John Harris groups offer that's being vetted by the NFL process.

I had considered attending the LIV event here in Virginia, as the course isn't but maybe 4 or 5 miles from my home, but I played golf instead of watching it.  I've heard on the radio from people who had a good time there, but I drove past one of the satellite parking lots each day, and that lot appeared to be no more than 1/4 full.  I did watch the telecast for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, and I just don't like the broadcast format.

[Elmer]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

All of this is rather moot now, since it is the John Harris groups offer that's being vetted by the NFL process.

I had considered attending the LIV event here in Virginia, as the course isn't but maybe 4 or 5 miles from my home, but I played golf instead of watching it.  I've heard on the radio from people who had a good time there, but I drove past one of the satellite parking lots each day, and that lot appeared to be no more than 1/4 full.  I did watch the telecast for maybe 10 or 15 minutes, and I just don't like the broadcast format.

The hotel I was in this weekend had satellite TV which was broadcasting the tournament (I use the word tournament very lightly).
I had a few moments in between games and watched about 5 mins.
I hate the feel of it from the broadcast, to the score bug, to the overall vibe.
The golfers gave of frat guy golf outing vibes, or maybe corporate scramble. Except less drinking and much better golf.

At no point did I get the sense any of the golfers were playing anything, pars, birdies or money. There seemed to be a lack of concern.

[iacas]

6 hours ago, phan52 said:

Should LIV players be able to play in Majors and the Ryder Cup? If they qualify, yes. Should they be able to play this week at the Memorial? Absolutely not. They quit the PGA Tour when they joined LIV. I don't think there is an argument to be made to allow them to play PGA Tour events. They would be taking spots from qualified Tour members. 

I mean… who is saying they should be able to play in The Memorial?

[iacas]

LIV Golf: Endeavor considered $1 billion investment in Saudi tour

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Ari Emanuel shared some interesting opinions on Saudi Arabia while discussing LIV Golf.

[ChetlovesMer]

15 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

All of this is rather moot now, since it is the John Harris groups offer that's being vetted by the NFL process.

I'm unfamiliar with the process of buying or selling a sports franchise. I haven't bought that many. 😁

Is Brian Davis still in the hunt? Will his offer only be considered if The John Harris group offer is found in some way to be unacceptable? Or will the NFL vet more than one offer? 

[Vinsk]

I think there are some who focus only on the Saudi issue with LIV GOLF. They just assume the format and players are being criticized due to that. I personally find the broadcasts to be atrocious and I didn’t like most of the players that went over there prior to the move. I tried to watch a couple of the tournaments and found it extremely unlikeable. So even if a well liked institution took over management, I don’t think I’d have any interest in watching. 

[ChetlovesMer]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

So even if a well liked institution took over management, I don’t think I’d have any interest in watching. 

I agree with you on this. 
I'm not a fan of the format. 

[snapfade]

I haven't had the chance to chime in on this topic so Ill give my two cents. For me, I think if I guy wants to join another tour that is between him and the PGA tour. Other than that its no bodies business. What do I care? I don't. I'm not particularly fond of SA of course, but where my golf clubs, shoes, bag, etc are made, that country has just as much of not more issues. But I'm not arguing about it. I think the whole concept is silly and likely wont last in its current format. Boring to watch on TV. Thought about going when it was in Orlando, but I didn't.  And Patrcik Reed does look like Radar O'rielly. 

 

 

[iacas]

7 minutes ago, snapfade said:

What do I care?

You may not but it matters to others.

[DeadMan]

PGA Tour agrees to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf

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The PGA Tour is merging with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf, following months of tensions and mounting lawsuits between the competitors.

No details, but I'm shocked.