PGA Tour countersues LIV Golf in escalating antitrust fight

Signs are posted at the LIV golf tournament on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

The Saudi-backed golf league is accused of anti-competitive practices by the PGA Tour.

The suit is the latest volley in the fight between the legacy PGA Tour and upstart LIV, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's deep-pocketed Private Investment Fund.

Several high-profile golf players have joined LIV Golf. Tiger Woods turned down an offer worth over a billion dollars.

In August, the PGA Tour increased its prizes and player benefits in a bid to match the lucrative contracts of LIV. The tour's top players signed loyalty agreements.

Both leagues have accused the other of limiting golf talent and preventing proper competition.

There is a prohibition on participation in conflicting events that, unlike the TOUR's conflicting event rules, does not allow for any request for release.

The tour is in Washington D.C. Greg Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf, visited Capitol Hill in September to educate members on the company's business model and counter the Tour's anti-competitive efforts.

The tour was sued when players were suspended from events. LIV Golf is still a part of the case despite the fact that three others dropped out.

Jonathan Grella said that the Tour has made these counterclaims in a transparent effort to divert attention from their anti-competitive conduct. The justice system will correct these wrongs.

In July, the Justice Department began investigating possible anti-competitive behavior on the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf doesn't have a U.S. media partner and has streamed this year's tournaments on its website and YouTube. According to reports, Apple and Amazon turned down a streaming rights deal.

Golfweek reported that LIV Golf was going to pay Fox Sports to show its season in 2023. Leagues are usually paid for the right to air the competition.

Grella told CNBC that recent reports about media rights have been incomplete. LIV Golf is in talks with several companies about broadcasting the league. We don't want anyone to draw conclusions about potential media rights since we are still in the middle of negotiations.