The PGA Tour Is Reportedly Under Investigation By The US Justice Department For "Anticompetitive Behavior"
Wall Street Journal - The Department of Justice is investigating whether the PGA Tour engaged in anticompetitive behavior as it battles the upstart, Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, the PGA Tour confirmed to The Wall Street Journal.
Players’ agents have received inquiries from the DOJ’s antitrust division involving both the PGA Tour’s bylaws governing players’ participation in other golf events, and the PGA Tour’s actions in recent months relating to LIV Golf, according to a person familiar with those inquiries.
The questions send a clear signal that the Justice Department is watching the fight that has divided professional golf, which both sides expect to end up in U.S. courts at some point. Such an investigation would ordinarily include the subject being instructed to freeze all relevant communications, both internal and with third parties.
A spokesman for the PGA Tour said it was aware of the investigation—and was confident it would prevail. The Department of Justice declined to comment.
You gotta imagine Greg Norman splooged after reading that headline. From the start of this whole thing, he's been adamant that he's got legal footing in his fight against the restrictions the PGA Tour has threatened (and subsequently levied) against its defectors. Maybe he's right, maybe he isn't… it sounds a lot like the PGA Tour has already been down this road back in the 90's as it related to Norman's first crack at this thing (along with a desire from players to play a few "made for TV" golf events back in the day). The PGA Tour came out ahead in that one and it feels confident that they will again.
It just feels like a small win for Norman here. The DOJ looking into this probably means that enough players made a stink where their hands were tied and they had to give in and investigate. Which of course gives Norman the headline he's been looking for ever since his infamous "surely, you jest" letter a few months back.
it just stinks that this is coming out during the 150th Open Championship. I wish we could put this story aside for a week and just enjoy the golf we have in front of us. It's the last major of the year. We've got months and months of runway to talk about this thing and today this is making headlines. Bad for golf, good for Greg Norman.