National Press Club president protests the new broadcast agreement between LIV Golf and The CW network
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Credits: LIV Golf
With the onset of the second season of the newly formed LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed circuit has recently finalized a new television contract with The CW network. This has come as a case of significant scrutiny and controversy, as the National Press Club President Jen Judson has publicly condemned this agreement in a press statement.
In the statement, Judson says that the Press Club is “deeply disappointed” in the multi-year agreement between LIV Golf and the CW. As per the new agreement, CW will broadcast 14 events from LIV Golf’s second season. LIV Golf has come under immense criticism because of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s involvement in backing its revenue.
As per the statement, the Press Club President says, “We are deeply disappointed that a company that makes money from news like Nexstar would agree to participate in such a shameful PR stunt as LIV Golf.” This is the first time LIV Golf has been able to broker a successful broadcasting deal after several failed attempts with top networks.
Related: LIV Golfer Patrick Reeds threaten CNN with a $450m lawsuit for defamatory comments
Press Club protests the broadcasting deal between LIV Golf and The CW network
The National Press Club, a worldwide organization of journalists with over 3,000 members, represents every major news organization. The president of the Press Club, Jen Judson, has condemned the decision of LIV Golf’s agreement with Nexstar Media Group’s The CW network. In her statement, Judson says, “We are deeply disappointed that a company that makes money from news like Nexstar would agree to participate in such a shameful PR stunt as LIV Golf.”
LIV Golf is in many controversies as Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth investment firm, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), backs and finances the rebel golf circuit. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Bin Salman, is the head of the PIF. This funding comes under much scrutiny because of the Saudi government’s alleged assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Judson elaborates on her public condemnation and adds, “Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) wants to use golf to get Americans to forget about murder. We must not let them get away with it. We call on Nexstar employees – many of whom are journalists – to demand management explain why they have partnered with the murderers of a journalist. And if they don’t drop the program here is what we can do: don’t watch it; and write each sponsor asking them not to sponsor.”
LIV Golf will broadcast its first rounds from February 24-26 and will be exclusively available for streaming on the CW app. The second rounds will be available on the CW network and on the app on Saturdays and Sundays.
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