• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
Law

PGA Tour Seeks Dismissal of Saudi Arabia Sovereign Fund Appeal

  • PGA Tour claims Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund doesn’t have standing to challenge discovery decision.
  • PIF appealed ruling that the fund, fund chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan have to produce documents, give depositions.
LIV-Golf
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The PGA Tour filed a motion to dismiss an appeal filed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on Wednesday, the latest legal turn in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf antitrust case. 

In the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals filing, lawyers for the PGA Tour argued that PIF doesn’t have standing to appeal the U.S. District Court’s decision that the sovereign fund and fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan are subject to discovery. The PGA Tour has sought to depose Al-Rumayya and obtain information from PIF, the major financial backer of LIV Golf.

“Allowing appeals of discovery orders, whether by parties or nonparty witnesses, would eviscerate the general rule that only final judgments are appealable,” lawyers for the PGA Tour wrote the 10-page motion.

The PGA Tour was approved by Judge Beth Labson Freeman to add PIF and Al-Rumayyan to its countersuit initially filed late last year. But PIF’s appeal deals with whether sovereign immunity should apply as non-parties, the legal definition for people and entities not directly in litigation. 

Lawyers for the PGA Tour argued that PIF is only entitled to appeal after a PIF files a motion to be dismissed as defendants in the counterclaim. 

“PIF intends to raise that issue again in its motion to dismiss [the counterclaim],” PGA Tour lawyers wrote. “That motion — and, presumably, any resulting appeal — will be appropriate procedural vehicles for deciding the sovereign immunity issues, whereas the Court lacks jurisdiction over this premature appeal.”

The PGA Tour attorneys also wrote that PIF would have the right to appeal if Labson holds it in contempt for not complying with the discovery ruling. A magistrate judge initially made that ruling before Labson upheld that decision.

Earlier this month, Labson delayed the start of the trial — originally set to begin in January — to May 2024. 

Several LIV Golfers originally filed the lawsuit against the PGA Tour, alleging the established pro tour of anti-competitive practices. LIV Golf took over as the main plaintiff in the case in the ensuing months as most LIV golfers dropped from the case. 

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 22. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm places the green jacket on 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler during the green jacket ceremony following the final round of the Masters Tournament.

Scottie Scheffler Blames LIV for Golf’s Ongoing Schism: ‘Go Ask Those Guys’

The defending Masters champion misses competing with top LIV players.
Rory McIlroy arrives on the tee box on the 16th hole to compete in a three-hole aggregate playoff of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass Monday March 17, 2025 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. McIlroy won his second Players Championship at +1 over J.J. Spaun.

McIlroy Boosts Players Championship TV Ratings Despite Weather Delay

NBC drew 3.6 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.
Rory McIlroy is congratulated by a fan as he heads to the clubhouse after a three-hole aggregate playoff of The Players Championship PGA golf tournment Monday, March 17, 2025 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Rory McIlroy won his second Players Championship winning +1 to J.J. Spaun’s +3 tiebreaking playoff round.

Rory McIlroy Wins Record-Tying $4.5M at the Players Championship

The PGA Tour’s flagship event had another record $25 million purse.
exclusive

Alexis Ohanian Wants TGL to Expand Into Women’s Golf: Q&A

Ohanian is bullish on the future of TGL.

Featured Today

Seattle Kraken

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
March 29, 2025

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
exclusive

ESPN Is Accused of Harassment, Retaliation in Legal Letter From Exec Editor

Cristina Daglas has been on administrative leave since January.
Juan Soto
March 18, 2025

MLBPA’s NIL Suit Against DraftKings Can Continue, Judge Says

The sportsbook failed to get the case dismissed.
A set of trading cards
March 19, 2025

New Suit Alleges Fanatics ‘Monopoly’ Increased Trading Card Prices 

The suit also names the NBA, NHL, and NFL as defendants.
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.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to a point against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
March 18, 2025

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Sues Tennis ‘Cartel’

The 163-page lawsuit was filed in three countries and seeks to reshape the sport.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.
March 14, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics End 10-Month-Long Legal Battle

Fanatics initially filed the lawsuit last May for breach of contract.
Dec. 18, 1982; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley (16) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99) at the Orange Bowl.
March 13, 2025

Mark Gastineau Sues ESPN for $25 Million, Alleging Deceptive Editing of Favre..

Gastineau is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played from 1979 to 1988.
Ryan Wedding
March 7, 2025

Feds Put $10 Million Bounty on Olympic Snowboarder for Drug Trafficking, Murder

Ryan Wedding competed at the 2002 Winter Games for Canada.