• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now
Law

LIV Golf-PGA Tour Antitrust Trial Won’t Begin Until 2024

  • Attorney for LIV Golf players had sought a more expedited schedule at a hearing on Thursday.
  • Phil Mickelson and 10 other golfers sued the PGA Tour earlier this month.
LIV Lawsuit
Jonathan Jones/USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf was dealt another setback in federal court Thursday as a federal judge scheduled a 2024 trial date for the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour, months later than attorneys for the rival tour had requested. 

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman set a tentative date for arguments for summary judgment — where the PGA Tour will all but certainly seek the case’s dismissal — for July 13, 2023 and a trial date of January 8, 2024.

Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and nine other LIV Golf competitors sued the PGA Tour earlier this month. Beyond the lawsuit, three plaintiffs in the case — Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, and Matt Jones — sought a temporary restraining order that would have allowed them to play in the FedEX Cup Playoffs.

Labson denied that injunction, keeping the trio from playing in the PGA Tour’s version of the postseason. 

Robert Walters, the attorney representing the players, argued for a March summary judgment date with a trial starting in August 2023 — which would have meant the trial would take place during next year’s FedEX Cup Playoffs. 

Walters said time is of the essence in the case because the PGA Tour is a “monopolist,” controlling and restricting talent along with access to media rights. The longer the case plays out, the less time pro golfers would have access to free agency. 

“They have a limited shelf life,” Walters said. 

PGA Tour attorney Elliot Peters pushed back against a more expedited schedule, saying that it’s not yet known if officials at the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund — the financial backers of LIV Golf — can be subpoenaed. 

“We have already been ambushed once in this case,” said Peters, referring to last week’s hearing on the temporary restraining order. “We would like an opportunity to get our ducks in a row.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 13, 2024; Bolingbrook, Illinois, USA; (Editors Notes: Caption Correction) Bryson DeChambeau of the Crushers GC and Brooks Koepka of the Smash GC shake hands after the first round of the LIV Golf Chicago tournament at Bolingbrook Golf Club.

DeChambeau, Koepka Hope Showdown Helps Unite LIV–PGA Tour

The golfers will compete against Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.
Oct 22, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) talks to media during Big 12 Women’s Basketball Media Day at T-Mobile Center.

Athletes in Landmark House Case Ask for College Players’ Association

Plaintiffs in the House v. NCAA case want more than just revenue-sharing.

Jay-Z’s Attorney Calls Sexual Assault Lawsuit a ‘Campaign of Extortion’

The lawsuit was originally filed against Sean Combs in October.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
Tyson

Gambling Company Sues Mike Tyson, Says He Blew Off Deal to Fight..

Tyson recently lost a highly anticipated fight to Jake Paul in Texas.
James Dolan
December 3, 2024

James Dolan’s MSG Sports Declares War on Bootleg T-Shirt Vendors

The Knicks and Rangers are suing counterfeit merchandise vendors outside of MSG.
James Dolan
December 5, 2024

Judge Orders MSG Bootleg Merch Sellers to Cut It Out, Appear in..

MSG Sports, the Knicks, and Rangers sued the vendors Monday.
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.
Mar 12, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani talks with translator Ippei Mizuhara in the dugout against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
December 3, 2024

Shohei Ohtani Seeks Baseball Cards From Interpreter in Federal Case

Ohtani’s former translator is expected to be sentenced for bank and tax fraud.
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
November 29, 2024

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
Tyreek Hill
November 26, 2024

Tyreek Hill Still Plans to Sue Miami-Dade Police After Charges Dropped, Lawyer..

The officers who arrested him in September did not appear in court. 
NFL QB Baker Mayfield
November 26, 2024

Baker Mayfield Sues Father’s Company for $12 Million

The suit says money transfers happened “without authorization.”