• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
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

Nick Dunlap of Tuscaloosa, Ala., tees off on the 18th during the third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

PGA Tour Could Get More Exclusive Under Proposed Rule Changes

This is the latest move to consolidate more prize money and rankings points.

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.

PGA vs. LIV ‘Showdown’ Has International Ambitions

The inaugural match will be played in Las Vegas this December.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Teams Face Crossroads at Season’s Halfway Point

0:00

Featured Today

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
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.”
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.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
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.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.
October 18, 2024

Lawsuit Targets Illegal Prop and Pick ’Em Bets

PrizePicks paid $15 million to New York regulators for a similar reason.
Jun 25, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan on pit road during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
October 18, 2024

NASCAR: Michael Jordan Suit Using Discovery As ‘Weapon’ 

Jordan’s racing company is suing NASCAR over antitrust practices.