Reports: PGA Tour, LIV nix non-poaching provision from deal

[July 14, 2023]  Architects of the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf have decided to scrap a provision prohibiting poaching from each other's tours at the urging of the Department of Justice, multiple outlets reported Thursday.

The New York Times was the first to report that regulators had concerns about the non-solicitation language between the Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi-funded money behind LIV.

The sides originally included the provision so as not to complicate the ongoing negotiations to complete the merger.

However, neither side is worried about players jumping ship at this point in time, though LIV players are currently barred from playing on the PGA Tour anyway, though that's expected to change in the future.

That was the only provision that regulators are currently concerned about, per the reports, but the DOJ will fully vet the agreement upon completion to ensure the alliance doesn't violate federal antitrust laws.

--Field Level Media

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