Setback for Norman in $1.1 billion battle

1 year ago 62

A national justice has ruled the PGA Tour tin adhd Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealthiness money and its governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, arsenic defendants successful its countersuit successful the ongoing ineligible combat with LIV Golf.

The ruling by US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman was the 2nd setback successful the past week for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, which has accused the PGA Tour of monopolistic actions arsenic the rival league gets started.

LIV Golf's 2nd play kicks disconnected this play astatine a Mexican formation edifice southbound of Cancun.

THE MOLE: Ex-con's 'raw' connection for Sea Eagles players

US Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen past week ruled the Public Investment Fund, which owns 93% of LIV Golf, and al-Rumayyan are required to springiness grounds and nutrient documents related to the antitrust lawsuit.

Now their engagement deepens arsenic defendants successful the countersuit.

Lawyers for PIF and al-Rumayyan had sought to quash subpoenas claiming sovereign immunity. They are expected to entreaty van Keulen's determination that their engagement falls nether the commercialized enactment objection to the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act.

The quality centres astir LIV's statement that PIF and al-Rumayyan were investors, portion the PGA Tour says documents obtained during the find process bespeak they were actively progressive successful attracting players to articulation the league and frankincense breach contracts with the PGA Tour.

In her ruling, Freeman said adding PIF and al-Rumayyan arsenic defendants successful the counterclaim would not hold the trial, tentatively acceptable for January 2024. She wrote successful her ruling that immoderate hold “is not apt to outlast the hold caused by the subpoena dispute."

Phil Mickelson was among 11 players who sued the PGA Tour connected August 3 successful the Northern California court. LIV Golf joined the lawsuit, and present lone 3 players — Matt Jones, Bryson DeChambeau and Peter Uihlein — stay arsenic plaintiffs.

In a abstracted ruling, Freeman ruled the PGA Tour's amended counterclaim indispensable support nether seal details related to LIV's contracts and concern strategy. However, she denied LIV's petition to support sealed matters that subordinate to the Saudi engagement successful LIV operations.

LIV Golf is estimated to person spent $1.15 cardinal successful its archetypal season.

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!