I I think Senator Richard Blumenthal left Tuesday’s U.S. Senate hearing he presided over on the PGA Tour/LIV Golf situation very disappointed.
Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, didn’t get the circus he sought after with Ron Price, the tour’s chief operating officer, and Jimmy Dunn, a member of the tour’s policy board, as he testified in a nearly three-hour session of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in Senate. If this was a golf match, Blumenthal was badly outplayed.
Blumenthal accused the PGA Tour of “giving up”. Use words like “selling” and “betrayal”. He did everything he could to try to disgrace the tour. It was typical Washington, D.C. performance art.
The PGA Tour has fared well at hearing. Price and Dunn prove to be much smarter than many of the detectives. They did not take the bait and got into an argument with Blumenthal the messenger.
Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, has spoken generally in favor of the party Framework agreement reached by the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. He suggested that any final deal, which would need to be approved by the Policy Council, could and should be a “win-win” arrangement. As a former businessman, he has been the voice of reason on a platform full of politicians.
Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, thought the whole procedure was a waste of time and engaged in a constitutional debate with Blumenthal.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., took the flight to remind everyone that the PGA Tour is a strong citizen of his state. Josh Hawley, the Missouri Republican, pressed the tour price around PGA Tour China, which hasn’t been around since 2019. He should fire his staff; Was not informed and incorrect facts.
Blumenthal wants the PGA Tour to explore other options, and consider seeking outside capital from entities that don’t launder or abuse human rights. The senator from Connecticut really hates Saudi Arabia and everything it stands for.
But then, never underestimate a US Senator’s ability to flatter himself.
The session revolved around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its human rights behavior, and its desire to “sportswash” this record. It was about the 9/11 families, many of whom attended, and their complaints. It was about the Non-Derogation Agreement that came into being on the eve of the announcement of the framework agreement.
Yes, there was some saliva. Greg Norman will likely be dismissed as CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf if and when a final agreement is reached, pursuant to a side agreement. PIF Governor Yasser Al-Rumayyan wants to be a member of R&A and Augusta National. LIV hopes Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will play in 10 LIV events going forward and own Team LIV. Never mind that Woods is out indefinitely due to complications from surgery on his right ankle and has only played one event this year.
These were all talking points in a document prepared by Amanda Staveley, a somewhat obscure British businesswoman with extensive investment ties to Saudi Arabia. It was pure fantasy.
Blumenthal wants to hold more sessions. He wants to hear from Al-Rumayyan, and potential commissioner Jay Monahan, who recently announced he would return to work Monday after a month-long absence due to an undisclosed “medical condition.” Blumenthal wants the PGA Tour to explore other options, and consider seeking outside capital from entities that don’t launder or abuse human rights. The senator from Connecticut really hates Saudi Arabia and everything it stands for.
The PGA Tour is not out of the woods yet. Its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(6) organization is still in jeopardy, and the Department of Justice is still getting around the business of the round. But on a day many thought would be explosive, the fireworks never went off.
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