21 PGA Tour players hire attorneys; demand more transparency amid LIV Golf negotiations

13/12/2023 16:34

A group of PGA Tour players have hired legal counsel, hoping to obtain more answers from the PGA Tour Policy Board amid LIV Golf negotiations.

Twenty-one PGA players have hired attorneys, hoping to obtain more information from the PGA Tour's ongoing negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)—LIV Golf's beneficiary.

The two sides have until Dec. 31, 2023, to strike a deal, which would likely forge a unification of the men's professional game.

But the legal action brought about by these 21 golfers indicates that some internal division exists within the PGA Tour.

Essentially, it is a battle between the 'Haves' and 'Have-nots,' the top players who earned their way into the Signature Events—the Jordan Spieths, Rory McIlroys of the world—against those players on the periphery, who fight to keep their PGA Tour cards year-in and year-out.

Danny Willett, who won the 2016 Masters, is the only major champion among this group. Others include Dylan Fritelli, William McGirt, Chez Reavie, and Chris Stroud. Of these 21 players, nobody sits within the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings, with Reavie ranked the highest at 111th.

This group hired Susman Godfrey L.L.P. to represent them, and the law firm penned a letter to the PGA Tour Policy Board on Dec. 10, 2023. Tron Carter of No Laying Up posted this memo on social media:

"We write on their behalf to obtain information about the PGA Tour's consideration of several proposals that will alter the structure of the PGA Tour and may have a profound impact on our clients' lives and the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of other Tour players," Jacob W. Buchdahl, the attorney from Susman Godfrey L.L.P., penned.

"We demand full disclosure of the details and analyses of any proposals by prospective capital partners, which should be shared promptly with all Tour players."

Shortly after Jon Rahm bolted to LIV Golf, the PGA Tour Policy Board shared a memo revealing it had met with investors outside the PIF.

"We just concluded a series of PGA Tour Policy Board meetings and would like to provide you with a significant update," the board's memo reads.

"We unanimously agreed to further negotiate with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), a consortium of U.S.-based professional sports team investors led by Fenway Sports Group."

Numerous billionaire investors comprise the SSG, including Arthur Blank, Steve Cohen, and Gerry Cardinale, along with Fenway Sports Group.

As such, the 21 PGA Tour players who sought legal counsel have also requested to meet with the policy board to discuss these stipulations.

"We seek assurances that all conflicts of interest will be disclosed and will not be permitted to color the decision-making process," Buchdal's letter continues.

"The PGA Tour players who have been kept in the dark about this process are the lifeblood of the Tour. They deserve to know what is happening."

Many players have expressed their disappointment over the lack of transparency stemming from PGA Tour headquarters about its discussions with the PIF.

Yet, at the same time, providing detailed updates regarding these negotiations could prove disastrous. The details would likely face scrutiny should they have been disclosed publically.

Nevertheless, this group of players has a right to seek more information from their Tour. Plus, PGA Tour brass does not want to see a schism among its members.

But the clock is ticking to the Dec. 31, 2023, deadline, and it will likely change the outlook and trajectory of many careers. Whether everyone agrees on the final product is unlikely, but hopefully, their perspectives will be considered.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.