Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are in the box seat when it comes to their potential next major investment.
Back in September it was first reported by the Reuters news agency that FSG were weighing up a bid for a stake in the PGA Tour – the organisation that oversees golf’s biggest tournaments in North America. The interest in the investment came on the back of the surprise link-up that occurred between the PGA Tour and the rival, Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-backed LIV Golf Tour earlier in the year. The two competitions had been completely at odds ever since the creation of LIV Golf in 2021, spearheaded by golf legend Greg Norman, with a number of high-profile players, including the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter, defecting from the PGA Tour to the new competition – one where significant money was on offer.
In a remarkable development, and despite mounting tensions and lawsuits in the offing, a merger was agreed between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf in June. A framework of a deal was agreed in the summer, but with a deadline approaching of December 31 to have it signed off, and with both parties believed to be some way apart in negotiations, it is anticipated that the agreement will be broken off with the PIF, the owners of Newcastle United, and that has opened the door to investment into the PGA from others, with FSG understood to be at the fore.
Renowned golf journalist Alan Shipnuck claimed on social media earlier this month that Liverpool’s owners had ‘put in a monster bid to usurp the PIF’. FSG and Liverpool chairman Tom Werner, speaking to CNBC’s Halftime Show last week, where he was appearing alongside PGA star Rory McIlroy to discuss FSG’s acquisition of a team in McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ TMRW Golf League (TGL) venture, wouldn’t be drawn on specifics of any deal with the PGA but did admit to talks. Werner said: “We don’t really like to talk about things that are in discussion. Really, we’re here to talk about tomorrow’s golf and this team and anything we can do to help Rory and the PGA, we’re happy to offer our support.
