‘Bottom of the Food Chain’: Charles Barkley Slams His Verdict Over PGA Tour’s PIF Merger Decisions

Another legend shares his views on the merger! However, this time around, it’s none other than Charles Barkley who shared a piece of his mind with the community. What’s more, the former basketball professional made sure to express his opinions on the alliance between the PGA Tour and the PIF-funded league, all the while bringing the likes of Tiger Woods and Gary Player, among others, into the fray.

Currently, the men’s golfing bodies are in negotiations to work out the details regarding the $3 billion deal. Meanwhile, the American came forward to express his views on the same and expressed the need for a merger, all the while dubbing the rest of the golfers apart from the legends as being at the “bottom of the food chain,” no less!

Charles Barkley shares his views on the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger

The golfing world had been hit with nothing short of a shock when the news of the merger came out. Moreover, many are still on the edge of their seats as they wait to see how the same will pan out with the approaching deadline. However, Barkley had much to say regarding the same, as he took to a podcast a little while back.

In an episode of the podcast by SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, the 60-year-old mentioned how a handful of golfers, including the likes of Woods, Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer, among other similar athletes, “are the only guys who have driven golf the last 100 years.” But even so, he made sure to point out how there are a “million great players” in the game.

Nevertheless, ‘Chuck’ divulged how “the other guys don’t drive the needle like those guys,” all the while emphasizing the great effect that the group of legends had on golf once again. Adding on, Charles Barkley conveyed how the only way that the “guys at the bottom of the food chain” can survive is if they come and “merge together,” expressing the need for the $3 billion alliance.

Well, it seems as if the NBA legend can rest easy since recent reports indicate the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund are proceeding forward with their talks to reach the required deadline for the alliance, all the while taking another major step towards the same.

The PGA Tour brings in an investment group

The PGA Tour Policy Board announced a while back that they were selecting Strategic Sports Group (SSG) in a bid to negotiate for private equity investment. What’s more, the resolution was passed anonymously following multiple meetings and reviews of the various proposals by different groups willing to invest in the PGA Tour Enterprises.

ALSO READ – ‘American Politics’: Padraig Harrington Questions PGA Tour Players’ Transparency Outcry

However, they finalized SSG as an investor in a bid to make the game more player-friendly and to develop it to a better level. Moreover, the Strategic Sports Group involves the likes of Fenway Sports Group, Arthur Blank, and HighPost Capital, among others.

As the PGA Tour Policy Board strives to meet the deadline at the end of December, one can’t help but hope the result helps the golfers enjoy the game more, all the while being able to own their game.

Watch This Story | PGA Tour Suffers Another Blow as Massive Golf Club Ends Ties for a Marquee Event