The Issue of Antitrust in Sport: Analytical Study of the Sports of Golf.

Alrefaei, Ammar

The Issue of Antitrust in Sport: Analytical Study of the Sports of Golf.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ammar Alrefaei

Professor – Law Department King Abdulaziz University (KAU) - College of Business (COB) – Saudi Arabia

Abstract

LIV Golf is a professional golf tour launched by the Saudi Public Investment Fund as a competitor to the PGA Tour. Prior to the first event of the LIV in June 2022, PGA had warned that it would sanction golfers participating in conflicting to PGA LIV events. It later suspended the LIV event participants from PGA and associated tournaments. In August 2022, a group of the suspended golfers filed an antitrust lawsuit in the US demanding reinstatement in the PGA tour. They were joined by LIV which claimed that such suspension practices would destroy its “ability to maintain a meaningful competitive presence in the markets.” The US Department of Justice also launched an inquiry into the case. The primary issue in the matter seems to be whether PGA’s reaction to LIV consists of legitimate business protection or monopolist practices. This paper attempts to answer this question based on review of the relevant antitrust legal framework in the US. Additionally, the paper will look into possible implications of the likely court decision for golf and professional sports overall.

Keywords

Main Subjects

القانون الخاص

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