Months Before LIV Golf and PGA Tour Merger, Charles Barkley Defended Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson for Their $350,000,000 Move to Saudi-Funded Tour

Charles Barkley doesn’t care about popular opinion. He will take a stance that can spark controversy and he is unapologetic about the same. When it comes to polarizing issues, the LIV Golf tour has divided fans across the aisle. Backed by the Public Investment Fund(PIF), a sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, the tour has fanned the flames of discontent among many critics and fans alike. However, things took an unprecedented turn when LIV Golf, DP World Tour, and PGA Tour announced a merger, causing shockwaves.

Chuck had defended the decisions of players like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson to move to LIV Tour and their withdrawal from PGA Tour. Does the latest news only validate his take?

Charles Barkley had defended these moves in explicit terms

The LIV Golf Tour linked Phil Mickelson to a humongous $200 million deal, which was much more than he was making in the PGA Tour. The PIF-backed venture signed Dustin Johnson for a whopping $150 million dollars. How could these two have refused such a huge payday? However, their decision to abandon the PGA Tour and accept the amount drew the ire of the PGA Tour fanbase. The fanbase criticized the move because LIV is backed by Saudi Arabia. The political climate of the country doesn’t sit well with the bulk of the fanbase.

This move, of course, had varying public opinion. However, Sir Charles Barkley didn’t relate to the stance of boycotting these golfers to shift their talents to the much-maligned Tour. In fact, he summed up the feelings in his usual unhinged and humorous way. Appearing on Pat McAfee show, he said, “The answer to your question is 100%, Yes, I’m gonna meet with LIV. I don’t judge other people,” the former NBA star turned television analyst said recently in an interview. “If somebody gave me $200 million, I’d kill a relative. I’m serious”

Huge blow for PGA Tour Supporters

The merger would make many players who joined the Saudi-backed project feel vindicated. However, this is a major setback for the PGA Tour supporters who were boycotting the LIV tour.

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Now, with the PGA merging with LIV, things look complicated for the detractors.

Such is the business model of sports. PGA Tour’s sponsorships and established name will aid the growth of the LIV Tour model, while the Saudi-Arabia-fueled capital will enhance the structure of PGA. At any rate, most of all, major bag holders from LIV like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will be relieved the most.

What do you think about this merger? Does it make sense for both tours? Comment below.

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