LIV Golf has been a point of discussion in the golf world since its inception. Opinions come flooding in from every direction at regular intervals, regardless of whether major developments happen. And the Saudi money has remained the center of attention for quite a while now.

This time, however, the LIV Golf investment has received attention from outside of the golf world. A prominent political figure from Ireland has recently spoken about the Saudi PIF’s investments in sports, particularly LIV Golf. His concerns have little to do with golf itself but go beyond the scope of sports.

An advocate for contributions toward the climate crisis talks about LIV Golf 

Irish Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has recently spoken about the investments from Saudi PIF towards sports. Ryan is the leader of the Irish Green Party and is a vocal supporter of climate change activism. Looking at all the investment flowing from the PIF toward soccer and golf has made him open about the same.

The mammoth investment from PIF in sports has been its LIV Golf stake. “They spent $2 billion on golf the previous year,” said Ryan. He expressed his yearning and wished that a portion of such big amounts go into the causes that he was advocating. 

Ryan also pointed out the frequent investments from PIF into soccer and shared his thoughts on the matter, “Sorry, if Saudi Arabia can afford $875 million spent on soccer players last three months, they can afford to contribute towards the climate crisis we have.”

PIF’s investment in soccer includes money that went into the four Saudi Arabian soccer teams, besides Newcastle United. Al-Nassr FC, one of the four clubs, signed Cristiano Ronaldo for a record amount, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world. Al Hilal, another one of the four teams, tried to sign Lionel Messi, but that deal didn’t come through. 

Read more: ‘Never in My Wildest Dreams’: After His Insane $36 Million Feat, LIV Golfer Talor Gooch Makes an Astounding Confession

Coming back to golf, LIV Golf is not the first investment PIF made in the golf scene, though. 

PIF’s history of investment in golf

Prior to creating LIV golf, the PIF had partly invested in the PGL, initiated by Alan Gardiner, which didn’t take off very well. PIF had contributed about 500 million dollars, which it withdrew later. This is when they proceeded to create a golf league of their own. 

Reportedly, the PIF is planning to spend more than a billion dollars on golf. The investment is claimed to be for the combined entity that will come to exist after the merger of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the DP World Tour. That is, if the merger comes through.

Looks like the Saudi PIF is getting a lot of attention over its recent enthusiasm towards sports. What are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments below.

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