High drama surrounds the Kingdom’s pursuit of golf, tennis

#1- Is the PGA Tour playing both sides of the street? It’s a time of high drama for the Public Investment Funds’s bid to merge its Liv Golf franchise with the PGA and European tours. A 31 December deadline for the transaction is looming — and in just a matter of days, the PGA has radically shifted its negotiating tactics.

PGA has jumped into talks with a group representing a “who’s who of bn’aires from the world of sports,” as the Wall Street Journal puts it. PGA said in a statement that execs are talking with a group of US investors that includes Strategic Sports Group (SSG).

Adding to the drama: PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is due to meet this week with PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan — a sit-down that was originally said to have been in the cards for last week.

What does it mean? Both PGA and PIF-backed Liv say they’re still committed to a merger. Pundits are casting the talks with SSG one of a series of last-minute gambits by both parties (Liv just signed PGA star Jon Rahm) to gain the upper hand as they head into final talks.

WILL WE HOST THE 2024 WTA FINALS?

Will the Kingdom host the 2024 Women’s Tennis Association finals? Multiple media outlets have said the finals will come here next year, especially after prominent players on the women’s tour complained about the quality of organization at the 2023 finals in Mexico. A WTA spokesperson told Reuters and Espn that no decision has been made yet. Both Saudi officials and the WTA are said to be looking at a multi-year agreement.

MESSI, RONALDO TO CLASH IN RIYADH

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will clash with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Nassr in Riyadh early in 2024 in one of two matches Inter Miami will play here as part of the Riyadh Season Cup, a three-team round-robin tournament. US Major League Soccer made the announcement overnight.

Miami will take on Al Hilal at Kingdom Arena on 29 January before facing Al Nassr on 1 February, the statement said. It’s Inter Miami’s first-ever international tour, the outfit said in its X account.

AND SPEAKING OF FOOTBALL- The women’s national team has a new head coach, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced. Spaniard Lluis Cortes Rosa Lappi-Seppala on a four-year contract running through the end of 2027.

KICKING THE TIRES?

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was in Riyadh this past weekend to “to visit the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (NOC), and to see for himself the impressive development of sport in the Kingdom,” according to a statement from the Olympics.

Are we eyeing an e-sports olympics? Bach was a guest at the Saudi Games and met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, where talks included the IOC’s drive to create Olympic e-sports games. Prince Mohammed is a passionate gamer who has directed the Public Investment Fund to commit heavily to making Saudi a powerhouse in the global industry.