{"id":83035,"date":"2024-02-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2024\/02\/04\/jabeur-backs-wta-finals-in-ksa-plus-golf-cycling-foortball-and-more\/"},"modified":"2024-02-04T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T00:00:00","slug":"jabeur-backs-wta-finals-in-ksa-plus-golf-cycling-foortball-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/ksa\/2024\/02\/04\/jabeur-backs-wta-finals-in-ksa-plus-golf-cycling-foortball-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Jabeur backs WTA finals in KSA. Plus: Golf, cycling, foortball, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

If it\u2019s Sunday, we must have an avalanche of sports news<\/strong>, and this morning is no exception. Among the stories making headlines over the weekend:<\/p>\n

#1- PGA Tour raises big funds, leaving agreement with PIF hanging:<\/strong> The PGA Tour sealed a USD 3 bn investment for a new for-profit company from a group of US sports bn\u2019aires operating as Strategic Sports Group (SSG), it said in a statement<\/a> last week. The transaction forming the PGA Tour Enterprises \"allows for a co-investment from the PIF in the future, subject to all necessary regulatory approvals,\" the statement read.<\/p>\n

Still working both ways:<\/strong> The PGA Tour \"confirmed progress\" in ongoing talks with the PIF on a potential investment in the future, the statement said, without providing further details. It said that the SSG \"has consented to an investment by PIF\" subject to regulatory review and approvals. <\/p>\n

The catch: <\/strong>There\u2019s speculation in the US and UK press<\/a> that with the USD 3 bn windfall, PGA could walk away from its proposed merger with PIF-backed Liv Golf and the European Tour \u2014 and be in a better position to fight-off competition in the medium-term. <\/p>\n

REMEMBER-<\/strong> The PIF and PGA Tour agreed to extend talks into 2024 after failing to agree on terms before a 31 December deadline.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

#2- The PIF could be making its first venture into global cycling:<\/strong> PIF unit SRJ Sports Investments<\/a> is in exclusive talks for a potential investment of USD 270 mn in a new cycling league venture led by several leading European cycling teams, Reuters<\/a> reported last week. <\/p>\n

The background: <\/strong>PIF has reportedly edged out private equity firm CVC in the running to invest and a transaction could wrap up in as little as two months\u2019 time. <\/p>\n

The venture is being led by a handful of European cycling teams<\/strong>, including Holland\u2019s Visma-Lease a Bike<\/a> and British bn\u2019aire Jim Ratcliffe\u2019s Ineos Grenadiers<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Speaking of Ineos Grenadiers: <\/strong>We can\u2019t be the only ones who are drooling over Ratcliffe\u2019s<\/a>Ineos Grenadier 4x4<\/a>, can we?<\/p>\n

\n

\n

#3- <\/strong>Tunsian tennis star Ons Jabeur is \u201cpersonally looking forward\u201d to contesting the <\/strong>2024 WTA tennis finals in Saudi Arabia<\/strong>, pushing back on criticism of the Kingdom\u2019s bid by one-time tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. AFP<\/a> reported her remarks late yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Princess Reema's answer<\/a><\/strong> was unbelievable,\u201d<\/strong> Jabeur said in Dubai. \u201cI think classy, elegant, and every player was impressed with the way she addressed Martina's and Chris' letter,\u201d the newswire quoted her as saying. <\/p>\n

Jabeur is no stranger to Saudi<\/strong>, having played an exhibition march in Riyadh against Aryna Sabalenka last month. Sabalenka has also said she looks forward to competing in the WTA finals in Saudi.<\/p>\n

AND-<\/strong><\/p>\n