• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey
Law

LIV Golf Alleges Condoleezza Rice ‘Attempted to Influence’ DOJ

  • In filing as part of antitrust case against the PGA Tour, LIV Golf says Rice among Augusta members involved.
  • The Department of Justice is investigating the PGA Tour and others over alleged anticompetitive conduct.
Condoleezza Rice LIV Golf
Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

Former Secretary of State and Denver Broncos co-owner Condoleezza Rice was among the Augusta National Golf Club members the PGA Tour allegedly used to “wield extraordinary power both within and outside the golf world” to thwart LIV Golf, according to a court filing on Monday. 

LIV Golf lawyers wrote in the filing as part of the Saudi-backed tour’s antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour 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.”

Rice and banking executive Warren Stephens — both members of Augusta National — “apparently attempted to influence the U.S. Department of Justice to not investigate the Tour,” the filing stated. According to the filing, Stephens “apparently asked by Tour employees to lobby Senator Tom Cotton against LIV.”

Last year, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the PGA Tour over allegations of anticompetitive behavior. The antitrust probe has since expanded to include Augusta and the United States Golf Association. 

The filing also mentioned August members Ginni Rometty (former CEO and president of IBM),  Bobby Long (chair of the Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation), and former PGA Tour player John Harris. However, it’s unclear what alleged role those three played due to redactions in the document. 

Messages left with the PGA Tour and Augusta were not immediately returned on Monday. 

The New York Times reported last month that Rice and Rometty were among those approached by those working on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, LIV Golf’s financial backer. The inquiries were part of an effort by those behind LIV Golf to assemble “an all-star board of business, sports, legal and political titans,” according to the newspaper.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Augusta National Confirms Hurricane Damage, Masters Still on Schedule

The local community is still dealing with power and water outages.
Running back Kalel Mullings (20) celebrates a touchdown against USC with teammates during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

House v. NCAA Lawyers Amend Settlement to Address Concerns About Boosters and NIL

Judge Claudia Wilken had concerns about the definition of the word “booster.”

LIV Golf’s Ongoing Impact Still Looms Over Presidents Cup

The PGA Tour–run team event begins Thursday in Montreal.
Mar 5, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta smiles during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center.

Tilman Fertitta Is Finally Trying to Bring WNBA Back to Houston

Houston is the biggest U.S. market to not have a WNBA team.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Domantas Sabonis on Life Behind Scenes of NBA Stars

0:00

Featured Today

The Cal mascot, Oski

How the Calgorithm Turned College Football Twitter Into Real Life

“College GameDay” makes its first trip to Berkeley on Saturday.
Apr 8, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; The cleats of Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) as he runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park.
October 1, 2024

MLB Players Are Clamoring for Swag. Outfitting Them Is Big Business

Sliding mitts, cleats, and belts are fun, flashy, and lucrative.
Sep 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
September 30, 2024

The Padres’ Future Is on the Line This Postseason

The MLB playoffs could determine the team’s path forward.
Aug 3, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Barcelona midfielder Pau Victor (8) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second half of an international friendly against Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium. V
September 29, 2024

FC Barcelona’s Overspending Triggered a Crisis. Has It Tightened Its Belt Enough?

The club is betting on their middle-road strategy to dig out.

Peloton Gets Investor Lawsuit Dismissed in District Court

The lawsuit claiming the company misled investors was dismissed.
Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Brian Ortega of the United States (red gloves) fights Diego Lopes of Brazil (blue bloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere.
September 26, 2024

New $375 Million Settlement Deal Announced in UFC Antitrust Lawsuit

UFC has agreed to $375 million in compensation—a $40 million increase from the original deal.
UCLA Bruins infielder Kyle Karros (44) grabs a bouncing ground ball as Auburn Tigers take on UCLA Bruins during the NCAA regional baseball tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
September 26, 2024

UCLA Baseball Shut Out of Stadium Amid Veterans Lawsuit

UCLA leases land from the Veterans Affairs, which was recently ruled illegal.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
Norwegian soccer player Erling Haaland
September 26, 2024

Premier League’s Legal Costs Explode To $66 Million

Cases for Manchester City, Chelsea, and three others have been expensive.
September 24, 2024

Brett Favre Tells Congress He’s Been Diagnosed With Parkinson’s

The former quarterback testified about the problem of misused TANF funds.
May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan sits court side during the first quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory
September 20, 2024

Judge Dismisses Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Filed Against James Dolan

Plaintiff Kellye Croft’s legal team plans to appeal the decision.
September 18, 2024

Brooklyn Nets Sued Over ‘Netaverse’ Trademark Infringement

Software company Phinge alleges it told the Nets repeatedly to stop using “Netaverse.”