• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024
Law

Patrick Reed’s Legal Fight Continues Amid Pro Golf Peace

  • While PGA Tour and LIV Golf ended their legal fight, Reed’s lawyer says his client will press on.
  • Reed has two active federal defamation lawsuits against nearly 20 defendants.
Patrick Reed
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf dropped its antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour. The PGA Tour dropped its counterclaim against LIV Golf. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund dropped its appeal. 

But some pending litigation didn’t end with the PGA Tour-LIV Golf partnership agreement: LIV golfer Patrick Reed’s defamation lawsuits against journalists and outlets.

Front Office Sports asked Reed’s attorney, Larry Klayman, if the deal aimed to reunify pro golf announced earlier this month put any pressure on his client to drop the cases. 

“There is no pressure and Patrick’s suits are unconnected to any proposed merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf,” responded Klayman, a conservative activist attorney known for filing several lawsuits against Bill Clinton. “They continue on.”

Two active lawsuits laid out similar claims that Reed was defamed. The 18 defendants in those two cases include The Associated Press, Bloomberg, Golf Channel and Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee. 

Reed seeks “in excess” of $1 billion in damages between the two cases. 

The PGA Tour’s alleged actions against LIV Golf were a major part of each case. 

“[The] defendants and the PGA Tour and its joint venture partner DP World Tour, have conspired and colluded to defame, smear, and harm anyone associated with LIV— including Mr. Reed, one of its most prominent athletes — in order to try to maintain their monopolistic hold on professional golf, and therefore continue to substantially profit, to the tune of an estimated $1.522 billion in revenue for the PGA Tour alone in 2021,”  Klayman wrote in an amended complaint against the AP, Bloomberg and Fox Sports. 

The parties have filed motions to dismiss the litigation — and one of the cases was initially dismissed by a federal judge in November. But the judge allowed Reed to amend that complaint against Golf Channel, Chamblee, Conde Nast and Gannett. 

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away … a public figure could bring a defamation suit without proving the challenged statements were false statements of fact published with actual malice,” Gannett’s lawyer wrote in a motion to dismiss filed earlier this year. “This is the fictional galaxy where Reed’s Amended complaint exists.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

2025 Ryder Cup Tickets Sell Out Despite Outcry Over $750 Price

Next year’s event will be played at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.

The Caitlin Clark Show Is Hitting the LPGA Tour in a Big..

The WNBA star is playing in an LPGA pro-am this week.
Former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he exits the putting green with his aide Walt Nauta, left, during the final round of the LIV Golf Bedminster golf tournament at Trump National Bedminster on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
opinion

Trump Win Puts Sports Back in the White House

With Trump back in the White House, sports get more political again.
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Vanderbilt Commodores at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Vanderbilt Commodores defeated Auburn Tigers 17-7.

Vandy QB Pavia Sues NCAA for 2 More Years of Eligibility

Diego Pavia beat Alabama. Can he beat the NCAA’s eligibility rules?
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
Jul 8, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver reacts during the second half in game two of the 2021 NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit:

Former Suns Employee Sues Team Over Wrongful Termination, Retaliation

Andrea Trischan was the team’s former DEI program manager.
Brett Favre and Donald Trump
November 7, 2024

What Donald Trump’s Win Means for Welfare Probe, Brett Favre

Favre spoke at Trump’s rally last week in Green Bay, Wis.
November 8, 2024

Michael Jordan’s Team Loses Bid for Temporary Injunction Against NASCAR

The teams can still compete, but will miss out on certain guarantees.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 25, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.