Saturday, May 2, 2026
Law

Judge Denies LIV Golf’s Request to Subpoena Condoleezza Rice, Others

  • LIV Golf sought to include Augusta members as part of discovery in lawsuit against the PGA Tour.
  • Federal judge calls LIV Golf’s effort ‘highly speculative’ in a Monday decision.
LIV Golf
Rob Schumacher-The Republic

A federal magistrate denied LIV Golf’s bid to expand discovery to include members of Augusta National, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Magistrate Susan van Keulen wrote in her Monday decision that LIV Golf’s attempt to subpoena 10 Augusta National Golf Club members — including those on Augusta’s Masters’ committee — was “overly burdensome” and “not in proportion to the needs of” LIV Golf’s antitrust lawsuit filed last summer against the PGA Tour. 

In a filing last week, LIV Golf attorneys wrote that discovery so far in the case has “shown that the Tour delivered these threats not only through its own executives and employees but by dispatching other influential persons on its behalf.”

“The cited documents [in LIV Golf’s Jan. 23 filing] do not implicate in any way the subpoenaed parties,” van Keulen wrote. “Nor do they reflect communications by or between the identified additional targets. Indeed, for the most part, the identified targets appear merely as names on lists or in other oblique references made by others. Any connection between an identified target and a subpoenaed party, based on the cited documents, is highly speculative.”

Among those LIV Golf was looking to seek discovery from was Rice, a Denver Broncos co-owner who was among the first two women to join Augusta in 2012. 

Condoleezza Rice LIV Golf

LIV Golf Alleges Condoleezza Rice ‘Attempted to Influence’ DOJ

LIV Golf alleges Augusta National members lobby against their organization.
January 23, 2023

In the filing, LIV Golf alleged Rice and banking executive Warren Stephens, an Augusta member, “apparently attempted to influence the U.S. Department of Justice to not investigate the Tour.” 
The Justice Department is investigating the PGA Tour for anti-competitive practices

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Jon Rahm in action during the third round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.

7 Questions About LIV After Saudis Pull Funding

LIV’s 2026 season is scheduled to run through August.

Puma Denies Its Carbon-Plated Shoes Cause Injuries After Lawsuit

The company pushed back on claims that its shoes increased injury risk.

Saudi PIF Confirms LIV Exit; League Creates New Exec Board

The league is searching for new investors to try to survive.

Reports Reignite Talk of Saudi PIF’s LIV Golf Exit

The Saudi PIF will not fund LIV after the 2026 season.

Featured Today

Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.

Damon Jones Admits He Sold LeBron Injury Information to Gamblers

Jones also pleaded guilty Tuesday in the rigged poker case.
Mar 31, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (5) during the first quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
April 27, 2026

Prosecutors to Bring Bribery Charges Against Terry Rozier

Rozier allegedly “solicited and accepted a bribe.”
April 28, 2026

Star Runner Says ‘Defective’ Puma Shoes Ruined Her Career

A series of foot surgeries prematurely ended her career.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) in the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
April 24, 2026

Suns Beat Ex-Employee’s Racial Bias, Security Lawsuit

“There was no settlement and there will be no payment to Mr. Traylor.”
April 23, 2026

Convicted Fraudster At Center of Clippers Case Cooperated With NBA

Joseph Sanberg is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday. 
April 17, 2026

Ex-Alabama Player Used NFL Disguises in $20M Fraud, Feds Say

Prosecutors say Luther Davis posed as three NFL players.
April 16, 2026

Damon Jones Will Plead Guilty in NBA Betting Case

Jones will appear at a hearing April 28 in Brooklyn.