According to recent reports, LIV Golf, the new golf league that aims to compete with the PGA Tour, has accused the Tour of using “illegal means” to prevent various international broadcasters from signing contracts with LIV.
During the antitrust and countersuit case between LIV and the PGA Tour, LIV Golf made the accusation in a motion that the PGA Tour used “illegal means to dissuade numerous broadcasters” from signing broadcast contracts with LIV in international markets. The argument between the two sides was mainly about the scheduling of the deposition of Thierry Pascal.
While Van Keulen denied the motion initially, it is possible that the matter will be reviewed as the discovery process proceeds. The case has attracted the attention of industry experts and fans and could have a significant impact on the golf broadcasting industry.
LIV Golf and PGA Tour’s antitrust and countersuit case takes an interesting turn as LIV accuses PGA of anti-competitive behavior
LIV requested that Thierry Pascal be deposed on March 27 in London, but the PGA Tour’s attorneys requested the deposition to be held in May with other depositions. The dispute resulted in a ruling from Judge Susan van Keulen on Thursday, requiring Pascal to attend an in-person deposition by April 14, even if the Tour’s attorneys are absent.
According to LIV’s motion, Pascal was accused of discouraging broadcasters from signing contracts with LIV, as well as preventing them from reporting on LIV events in their news content. Furthermore, LIV alleged that a potential broadcaster withdrew from negotiations after meeting with Pascal.
LIV’s lawyers are attempting to demonstrate that the PGA Tour is monopolizing golf broadcasting and trying to prevent LIV Golf from obtaining broadcast agreements. LIV contended that it was unable to acquire a domestic broadcast rights deal in the United States in 2022 and that the contract it signed for this season with The CW is with a secondary network, with LIV being its primary sporting event.
The allegations leveled by LIV against the PGA Tour are significant and could have profound implications for both golf and the Tour. The PGA Tour has traditionally been the leading force in golf broadcasting, and the emergence of LIV as a significant challenger has the potential to disrupt the industry.
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