‘Don’t Want to Hurt Jay’: $15.84 Billion Giant CEO Alludes to PGA Tour Chief Jay Monahan’s Role Behind Unsuccessful LIV Golf Deal

The PGA Tour and its rival, LIV Golf, have been embroiled in a messy battle for quite some time now. The breakaway LIV league is also backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has been a point of contention for many.

Per the latest reports, however, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan may have been the main reason behind LIV golf losing a key investor. Most recently, a well-known CEO of multi-billion dollars worth company opened up about how his friendship with Monahan resulted in a lucrative LIV deal falling through.

CEO says billion-dollar company considered investing in LIV

American businessman Ari Emanuel is the Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor, a company that owns UFC and famous talent agencies IMG and WME. The renowned company also has a market cap of 15.84 billion dollars. It, therefore, shouldn’t come as any surprise that the breakaway LIV league approached Emanuel to talk about funding.

Appearing in an episode of the Freakonomics Radio podcast, the 62-year-old media mogul shed light on the intricacies of the failed deal. Per Emanuel, LIV pros Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau had approached him to talk about funding, following which the company held internal discussions.

Also Read: A Year After Accepting LIV Golf Millions, Phil Mickelson Admits Receiving a ‘M**********r’ Text From Dustin Johnson

However, the Endeavor CEO not only has several connections throughout professional golf, but is also close friends with PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan. “We’re all connected in golf. And they [the PGA Tour] said, ‘Please don’t do it,’” he shared. “So we stopped.” Regarding his relationship with Monahan, Emanuel said, “We have a lot of business with Jay. I don’t want to hurt Jay.” Currently, LIV Golf is entangled in an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.  The U.S. Department of Justice is also probing the Tour regarding alleged anti-competitive practices with regard to the Saudi-backed league.

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel details conversation with PGA Tour chief

Despite LIV players ruffling many feathers with their defection, many in the golf community have now acknowledged the league’s influence. Earlier this year, Rory McIlroy, who had once been a harsh critic of LIV, admitted that it had had a significant impact on the game. Most recently, Brooks Koepka‘s PGA Championship win has also further exacerbated the PGA Tour vs. LIV debate.

During his appearance at the podcast, even Ari Emanuel confessed that he is always on the lookout for the “next sport.” Nonetheless, the multimillionaire stayed loyal to Monahan. However, he did give the PGA Tour chief some solid advice. “I said to Jay, ‘We’re pulling out. But you have got to figure out an economic solution here because it’s going to force you,‘” recounted Emanuel.

In his podcast appearance, the Endeavor CEO further stressed that he had no moral stance on LIV. He even went on to gush about meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

What do you think of Emanuel’s latest comments? Do you think his remarks will further fuel the PGA Tour vs. LIV debate? Tell us in the comments!

Watch This Story: Hours Before the $20,000,000 Event, Rory McIlroy Hints About the Pressure LIV Golf Has on PGA Tour