USA Today via Reuters
PGA, Golf Herren THE PLAYERS Championship – press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz March 13, 2020 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA PGA commissioner Jay Monahan speaks to media after the cancellation of the 2020 edition of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. The tournament was cancelled at the conclusion of the first round due to the developing Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports, 13.03.2020 08:13:15, 14176856, NPStrans, PGA, TPC Sawgrass, The Players Championship, Jay Monahan, COVID-19, TopPic PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAdamxHagyx 14176856
USA Today via Reuters
PGA, Golf Herren THE PLAYERS Championship – press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz March 13, 2020 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA PGA commissioner Jay Monahan speaks to media after the cancellation of the 2020 edition of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. The tournament was cancelled at the conclusion of the first round due to the developing Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports, 13.03.2020 08:13:15, 14176856, NPStrans, PGA, TPC Sawgrass, The Players Championship, Jay Monahan, COVID-19, TopPic PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xAdamxHagyx 14176856
Events on the PGA Tour have some of the biggest companies in the world bankrolling them, thanks to the popularity of stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. From Nike to Rolex to Callaway, the PGA Tour amasses billions in sponsorships every year.
Recently, however, news broke out that a company worth over $121,000,000,000 is pulling its sponsorship from a PGA Tour event. So, does the Tour have a new sponsor on the line? How are fans taking the news? Let’s find out!
PGA Tour on the lookout for new sponsor after old patron exits
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$121,000,000 worth Telecommunications giant AT&T, became associated with the Byron Nelson event way back in 2014. Now, the company is ending its sponsorship of the event, resulting in the PGA Tour going on the lookout for a new partner.
According to reports, Raytheon Technologies, a Virginia-based aerospace and defense company, was set to take over. But, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, stepped in to put an end to the deal. So, what led to him making the decision?
🚨#NEW via @golfweek: AT&T is stopping their sponsorship of the Byron Nelson. “According to multiple sources, the Tour had Raytheon Technologies, one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world, ready to sign on the dotted line but Tour Commissioner Jay…
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 12, 2023
It turns out that the company sells missiles to Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund also finances the Tour’s rival, LIV Golf league. Per Golfweek, Monahan rejected the deal at the nth hour, meaning that the search for a brand-new sponsor is still on.
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AT&T is not completely severing ties with the PGA Tour. In fact, the company is looking to amplify its investment in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which is set to become a designated event down the road. The event’s new status will mean a rise in prize money to $20 million, a huge part of which will likely be taken on by the title sponsor.
Meanwhile, Monahan’s decision has caused quite an uproar in the golf community, with many fans calling out the PGA Tour chief for his controversial intervention.
Fans react to PGA Tour ending deal with Raytheon
The PGA Tour cannot seem to catch a break as things got heated up yet again on Twitter. Golf enthusiasts on the platform have reacted strongly after commissioner Jay Monahan nixed a partnership with Raytheon Technologies for their dealings with Saudi Arabia.
This time, however, fans are speaking out against the 53-year-old. One fan called out his alleged anti-LIV narrative. LIV is not only backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, but its battle with PGA Tour is only picking up more steam by the day.
Lol he’s doing this to try to fit his narrative of anti-LIV
— Riley Ruby (@RileyRuby2) May 12, 2023
Wow Jay strikes again…negatively. Lol
— Golf_Realist (@Golf_Realist) May 13, 2023
I wonder if Jay knows the same group financing LIV also has ownership stakes in Titleist, FootJoy, Rick Shiels, etc…
— Brandon Wright (@wrightbrandonD) May 12, 2023
Some individuals on Twitter also called out the hypocritical nature of the decision. They have even pointed fingers at other PGA Tour sponsors. FedEx, a sponsor of the Tour for decades, has also boosted business with Saudi Arabia in recent years.
Hilariously hypocritical since 27 of his sponsors on the PGA Tour do over 40 billion dollars a year in business with Saudi Arabia
— Tour Pro (@OfficialTourPro) May 12, 2023
Better not tell Monahan about FedEx
— Marc Tobolski (@marctobolski) May 13, 2023
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So what about Mastercard is he going to get rid of them too?
— Sean (@svcigar) May 12, 2023
The AT&T Byron Nelson is currently underway in Texas’s TPC Craig Ranch. The event will draw to an end on Sunday, with the winner taking home the biggest chunk of the $9,500,000 prize purse.
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Watch This Story: ‘Can’t Wait’: Golf World’s Reacts to PGA Tour’s Massive Announcement
What do you think of Monahan’s decision about not establishing ties with Raytheon? Do you agree with fans’ sentiments? Let us know in the comments below.
