• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
Law

PGA Tour Hires Top Republican Strategist Amid LIV Golf Clash

  • Jeff Miller is close to the next likely House speaker and was a top fundraiser for President Trump.
  • The PGA Tour could be seeking help on the antitrust front.
PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks to media ahead of PGA Championship 
Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

A lobbyist with close ties to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has been hired by the PGA Tour, the latest salvo in its battle with LIV Golf. 

Jeff Miller, founder of Miller Strategies, is a longtime Republican powerbroker and was a top fundraiser for former President Donald Trump. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the PGA Tour had retained Miller. 

The move comes as the GOP takes over the House of Representatives next month, with McCarthy (R-California) expected to become speaker. Axios was the first outlet to report Miller’s hire. 

The PGA Tour has long had the mega law, and lobbying firm DLA Piper represents it in D.C., spending $330,000 through the first nine months of 2022 per Open Secrets. But DLA Piper’s lobbyists were focused on tax and commercial matters on behalf of the PGA Tour. 

LIV Golf flag pin

LIV Golf Expands to Courses Used By PGA Tour

LIV Golf announced three new venues to its 2023 calendar.
December 1, 2022

One veteran Capitol Hill insider told FOS that Miller’s addition shows the PGA Tour is looking for help on two subjects in particular: 

  • The antitrust investigation launched earlier this year by the Department of Justice focuses on alleged anticompetitive behavior in response to LIV Golf.
  • The PGA Tour possibly seeking an antitrust exemption like Major League Baseball has had for about a century, which would give the PGA Tour immunity against lawsuits like the one LIV Golf is pursuing currently

Miller, who did not respond to a text message sent by FOS, is expected to highlight LIV Golf’s financial backing by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. It also puts Miller on the opposite side of Trump, whose golf courses are a staple of LIV Golf’s schedule. 

LIV Lawsuit

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

Antitrust lawsuit by 11 players won’t go to trial until January 2024.
August 18, 2022

Beyond serving as an advisor for McCarthy, Miller was the finance chair of the 2020 Republican National Convention and was vice chair of Trump’s inaugural committee.

According to Miller Strategies’ website, Miller is a board member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and sits on the national board of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

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

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

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.

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.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.

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.