The Daily

How Saudi Arabia Took on Pro Golf — and Won

Jun 15, 2023

Alan Blinder, a golf and health reporter for The New York Times, unpacks the groundbreaking merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia. He discusses the motivations behind Saudi investments and how this partnership reshapes the sports landscape. The conversation touches on player reactions and the controversial atmosphere surrounding LIV Golf, revealing the shifts in loyalty and ethics among top professionals. Blinder also highlights the broader implications of Saudi Arabia's growing influence in international athletics.

29:05

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Episode guests

Alan Blinder

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Rise of Live Golf: Disruption in Professional Golf

8min

The Controversy of LIV Golf

5min

Golf's New Frontier: Shorts and Strategic Shifts

14min

Economic Developments and Social Controversies

3min

Last week, golf’s premier circuit, the PGA Tour, announced it was partnering with its rival circuit LIV Golf, an upstart league backed by Saudi Arabia, giving the country a powerful new seat at the table of international sports.

Alan Blinder, who covers golf for The New York Times, explains what was behind the deal and what it means for the business of sports.

Guest: Alan Blinder, a reporter who covers golf and health for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The deal to merge LIV Golf with the PGA Tour is a big win for oil-rich Saudi Arabia, headlining a banner week that also includes a visit from the American secretary of state.
The U.S. Senate opened an inquiry into the PGA Tour’s deal with LIV Golf.

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