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LIV Golf has accused the PGA Tour of damaging their first broadcaster deal. In recent documents submitted by the Saudi-backed circuit's attorney to the U.S. Federal court on Wednesday, a PGA Tour executive intervened in the league's potential broadcast deals.
As per Golfweek, the statement read:
“Based on tour (PGA) documents and other sources, LIV believes Mr. Pascal used illegal means to dissuade numerous broadcasters in international markets from signing broadcast contracts with LIV and even from reporting about LIV events in their news content.
"Time and again, after the live meeting or phone call, the broadcaster did an about face and informed LIV the negotiations (in one case, a signed contract) could not proceed. Because of his conduct and his efforts to conceal it, Mr. Pascal is a foundational witness whose testimony will inform later discovery in important ways.”
Lawyers for the Public Investment Fund-backed circuit led by Greg Norman have alleged that most of the actions taken by Pascal were not public and hence untraceable. However, they claim that it was after these conversations that its potential telecast partners stopped showing interest in the deal.
However, LIV attorneys didn't disclose the media company that had signed the contract before but maintained that Pascal's interference forced them to end up 'with a secondary network' (CW). The Greg Norman-led circuit signed a multi-year telecast deal with CW on a mutual revenue-sharing model in January. It's the first time CW has acquired exclusive broadcast rights to air live mainstream sports.
LIV has already hosted two events and the television response to both events was underwhelming. The matches were not shown on the most-watched CW channels. As a result, the recently held Tucson event garnered around 284,000 viewers on Saturday and 274,000 viewers on Sunday, according to Sports Business Journal.
It is to be noted that the Friday round was streamed online exclusively. The Tucson event viewership was lower compared to the season opener at Mayakoba. The Mayakoba event averaged 286,000 and 291,000 viewers on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, as per the Sports Business Journal.
LIV Golf's telecast details
LIV Golf matches are telecast via CW across the United States. However, LIV is yet to offer a broadcast deal outside the US. Fans outside the United States need to download the LivGolf Plus app, available on both Android and iOS. There is also the option of a Fire Stick.
What's next on LIV Golf League?
After successfully organizing two events this season, the Saudi-backed circuit will now look forward to its third event, which is to be held at Orange Country Club, Orlando.
The Mayakoba event was won by Charles Howell III in the individual section, while the Crushers GC prevailed in the team portion. Danny Lee won the Tucson event last week with Fire Balls GC winning the team portion.
Big names like Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, and Bryson DeChambeau are yet to gain their form and will be hoping to overturn their fortunes next week.
