• Loading stock data...
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Law

Saudi Arabia Filing in LIV Golf Case Causes Premier League Outcry

  • Premier League could take another look at Saudi Arabia’s ties to Newcastle deal.
  • Scrutiny comes amid legal arguments in LIV Golf-PGA Tour antitrust case.
Cameron Smith Celebrates LIV Golf tournament win with Greg Norman
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Saudi Arabia’s claim of sovereign immunity on behalf of its Public Investment Fund as part of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour civil antitrust case this week has irked another sports league across the pond. 

In an amicus brief filed this week, Saudi Arabia claimed a judge’s order that PIF is subject to discovery in the case was “unprecedented,” and Yasir Al-Rumayyan shouldn’t be allowed to be deposed since he “holds the rank of a Minister in Saudi Arabia’s government.” 

The Guardian reported Thursday that claims that Al-Rumayyan is beyond the reach of the U.S. court system were met with “anger” by Premier League clubs since Al-Rumayyan is the chairman of Newcastle United. 

The newspaper also reported that the disclosure in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California could lead the Premier League to reexamine PIF’s promise that Saudi Arabia would have no control over Newcastle when the fund took over control of the team in 2021. 

“The Premier League will surely need to re-examine the assurances made about the non-involvement of the Saudi authorities in the Newcastle deal, not least as there’s still a Qatari bid for Manchester United currently on the table,” said Peter Frankental, Amnesty International UK economic affairs director, per the BBC.

Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen ruled last month that PIF and Al-Rumayyan were subject to discovery requests by PGA Tour lawyers. In the order, van Keulen wrote that PIF and Al-Rumayyan could not claim a sovereign immunity exception because their roles in LIV went beyond merely funding the golf league. 

Attorneys for LIV Golf and PIF asked U.S. District Court Judge Beth Labson Freeman to review that decision earlier this week. If Freeman upholds van Keulen’s order, the issue could be appealed to the 9th Circuit, delaying the trial scheduled to begin in January. 

PIF is worth more than $600 billion, one of the most well-capitalized sovereign funds in the world. Since it’s an arm of the Saudi government, it is effectively controlled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

“It was always stretching credulity to breaking point to imagine that the Saudi state wasn’t directing the buyout of Newcastle with the ultimate aim of using the club as a component in its wider sportswashing efforts,” Frankental said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Eugenio Chacarra

LIV Golf Exit Reignites Chacarra’s Passion—and PGA Tour Hopes

The young Spaniard is hoping to qualify for the PGA Tour.
May 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Players get to see the trajectory of their golf balls at the driving range during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow.

Major Controversy: Quail Hollow Defends Hosting PGA Championship

Debate continues over the Charlotte course hosting this week’s major.

LIV Golfers Ride Special Invites Into PGA, Still Shut Out of Rankings

Four LIV players got special invites to this week’s major.
Paris Saint-Germain may get a new ownership group.

French Soccer Federation Proposes Own ‘Version of the Premier League’ 

The proposed structure would end Ligue 1 for a club-owned structure.

Featured Today

Hillary Trochek/Statement Threads Shop

How Custom Stanley Cup Playoffs WAGs Jackets Come Together

The process behind custom postseason jackets is meticulous—and aspirational.
Gracelyn Laudermilch
May 14, 2025

The House Settlement Has Thrown High School Athletes Into Crisis

FOS spoke to an athlete devastated by House settlement roster cuts.
Boomstick Burrito
May 11, 2025

The Arms Race to Create the Wildest Ballpark Concessions

Forget the score—did you see the milkshake?
Apr 18, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal vs Grand Canyon University Antelopes during the MPSF Men's Volleyball Championship at Galen Center.
exclusive
May 10, 2025

‘What Just Happened’: Inside the Abrupt End of Grand Canyon Men’s Volleyball

Inside Grand Canyon’s shocking decision to cut men’s volleyball.
Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon Could Have to Turn Over Hush Money Documents in Court

Suing shareholders want to know his “state of mind” during UFC merger.
Adam Silver
May 7, 2025

NFL Attempts to Aid NBA in Video Privacy Lawsuit

The NBA is being accused of unlawfully sharing user data with Facebook. 
May 8, 2025

Judge Bans ATP Tour From Retaliating Against Players in Major Lawsuit

Plaintiffs had sought to ban the ATP from discussing the case with players.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In the latest Portfolio Players—our series spotlighting athlete and executive investors—Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, owner of Gotham FC & advisor to the New York Giants, breaks down how sports, brand, and capital are reshaping fandom and the business of women’s sports.
Dec 17, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the 1st quarter of the Emirates NBA Cup championship game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks at T-Mobile Arena.
May 2, 2025

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hits Business Insider With $100M Defamation Suit

The suit seeks at least $100 million and a public retraction of the reporting.
UC Davis Baseball
May 2, 2025

NCAA Baseball Coaches Get Preliminary Approval in ‘Wage Fix’ Case

The baseball coaches are expected to be paid an average of roughly $33,000.
Apr 6, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; A general overall view of the opening tipoff between UConn Huskies forward Sarah Strong (left) and South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts at midcourt on the Final Four logo during the national championship of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament at Amalie Arena.
April 30, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement Has a Little-Known Federal Lobbying Provision

It would effectively muzzle plaintiff lawyers in Congressional debates.
Asinga
April 29, 2025

Teen Sprinter’s Suit Against Gatorade Dismissed In Ruling Judge Admits Is ‘Unsatisfying’ 

Issam Asinga blames Gatorade gummies for a positive drug test.