Brandel Chamblee asks FTC chair to take stance on PIF x PGA Tour deal after Donald Trump's win
Brandel Chamblee responded on Wednesday, November 6, to rumors of a possible deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). In doing so, he called out the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its current chairwoman, Lina Khan.
This was Chamblee's post:
"If the FTC Chair Lina Khan survives a Trump transition, and she may well as Vance has complimented her work, she may have something to say about any LIV/PGA Tour merger should it have support with the tour."
Since last weekend, numerous reports have surfaced regarding the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF. First, the British tabloid The Sun published an article claiming that a final agreement had been reached between the two parties.
Around the same time, it was reported that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan had traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet with PIF Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan for the Ladies European Tour's Aramco Team Series Riyadh.
The day before Election Day, Donald Trump spoke about the negotiations. The now President-elect said he could help bring about a final agreement and that it would take him "the better part of 15 minutes" (via NUCLR Golf).
Following the news of Trump's victory, 4-time major winner Rory McIlroy was asked for his thoughts on a possible role for the President-elect in the negotiations. The Northern Irishman replied that "he might be able to [help]" (via ASAP Sports).
Chamblee's mention of Khan and the FTC alludes to possible questions about the transparency of the negotiations. The process has been under investigation by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations virtually since the framework agreement was announced in June 2023.
Khan has made headlines with her antitrust efforts, leading investigations against Amazon and Meta, among others. According to the New York Times, the next vice president could remove her from her current position and appoint one of the other four FTC commissioners to lead the agency.
Brandel Chamblee and the negotiations between the PIF and the PGA Tour
Brandel Chamblee has repeatedly expressed his opposition to the PGA Tour's relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia through the PIF. His views are based on allegations that the country violates the human rights of its citizens.
Hours after the June 6, 2023, framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the PIF was announced, Chamblee had this to say (via Golf.com):
"I think this is one of the saddest days in the history of professional golf."
However, in May 2024, Chamblee made statements different from what he had previously said on the matter. This is part of what he said (via Golf Monthly):
"The time is now, to Rory [McIlroy]'s point about making a deal, I wouldn't have said that a year ago... but it is the better end of the bargain."
By this time, Rory McIlroy had gone from being an opponent of LIV Golf to a supporter of an agreement between the two sides. His call for a final settlement was supported by Chamblee with the above quoted statements.