NBA legend Charles Barkley has slammed those in charge of finalizing a deal between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
Ever since the formation of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, the sport has been left torn in two, with PGA Tour bosses banning any player who competes on the LIV circuit. Last June it appeared the stance had changed, after Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced a shock framework agreement with PIF.
It was expected that the agreement would bring to an end the feud between the two rival tours, but over 16 months on those at the negotiation table are still yet to officially sign off a deal.
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Golf fans and players alike have grown frustrated with the lengthy progress, and the latest to have his say is basketball stalwart Barkley. “I wish these fools would quit screwing around, LIV and the PGA Tour,” the NBA Hall of Famer said when discussing a possible deal with SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.
“I don’t know what the hell they’re doing. They’re so stupid. These guys are so idiotic. They need to be playing against each other [more than] the majors. It would be beneficial for both tours.” Barkley is no stranger to golf’s civil war, having flirted with the idea of leaving TNT to join LIV’s broadcasting team back in 2022. It’s believed LIV officials were serious about recruiting the TV personality, and had made a genuine offer.
Barkley is not the first time to criticize those in charge, with Monahan often feeling the heat. The Tour boss met publicly with LIV chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan for the first time this month, after the two bosses competed alongside each other at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
And morale seemed high, with the pair often caught smiling and laughing in conversation whilst making their way down the fairways. One man who was also in action at the DP World Tour event was Rory McIlroy, who also had the chance to play alongside Al-Rumayyan.
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It was all smiles between Monahan and Al-Rumayyan (
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McIlroy – who has often been at the center of the drama between the two tours – has built a strong relationship with Monahan, and called for patience when speaking in Scotland this month. “It’s a great thing and a good sign that Jay and Yasir are playing together on Thursday,” he told the BBC.
“I think it is a step in the right direction. Time will tell if things go in the direction I want them to or a lot of people want them to. I think we all understand it is not easy and, you know, change for the most part in golf is resisted because it is such a traditional sport…
“Maybe it is going too slow for the people who follow golf. But I think in the business world deals of this size take time. You know, you are talking about billions of dollars changing hands, different jurisdictions in the Middle East, US and Europe.
“It’s a pretty complicated deal, but I think we’ll know more by the year’s end hopefully. We are in October, so three months to get something done and start 2025 with enthusiasm and all move forward together.”
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