In a brewing legal showdown, LIV Golf finds itself embroiled in an eight-figure dispute over accusations of mimicking its format from the Premier Golf League (PGL), reports The Times.
The PGL, a prospective rival to both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, traces its inception back to 2014 and publicly disclosed its ambitions in 2020 to attract top-tier players. Led by Andrew Gardiner, a British lawyer and entrepreneur, the league proposed a format featuring 54-hole tournaments with shotgun starts, where teams of four players would simultaneously vie for individual and team honors. The venture garnered financial backing from Saudi Arabia.
Andrew Gardiner articulated his vision to various media outlets, including Golf Digest, stating, “The planning is all done, the platform is built, the financial backing is in place.” However, Saudi Arabia opted to support its golf venture, prompting several PGL executives to join Performance 54, the entity overseeing LIV Golf’s operations. LIV Golf debuted in 2021, with its inaugural season launching in 2022, and attempts by the PGL to collaborate with the European Tour were rebuffed.
Despite the PGL’s efforts to engage PGA Tour players through an open letter advocating for change, no substantive progress materialized. The PGL projected players could earn up to $20 million each, with $2 million upfront. Although Gardiner publicly maintained composure, referring to LIV as a testament to their concept, behind the scenes, the PGL has been quietly battling LIV, likely over intellectual property rights.
As of now, no formal legal action has been filed, as The Times reports that the PGL is instructing its legal counsel to seek a resolution to circumvent arbitration. The PGL is seeking $60 million in damages from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Amidst this legal wrangling, LIV Golf is currently staging an event in Saudi Arabia, marking its third season in operation.