Latest news with #GolfSaudi
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jack Nicklaus Defamation Lawsuit Over LIV Golf Kept in Court
A Florida appellate court on Wednesday held that Jack Nicklaus' defamation lawsuit against businessman Howard Milstein and Nicklaus Companies LLC for comments related to Nicklaus and LIV Golf is not barred by a contractual forum selection clause. Nicklaus and Milstein have battled each other in New York and Florida courts over the aftermath of a multi-document, $145 million transaction in 2007. More from Cristiano Ronaldo Hints $550M Saudi Arabia Tenure Is Over Wrigley Field Neighbor Slams Cubs for Rowdy, Disruptive Fan Behavior The Eagles' 'Tush Push' Lives On. Its Trademark Is In Her Hands At the time, Nicklaus sold the company GBI Investors to Milstein in a deal that gave rise to Nicklaus Companies. GBI Investors had licensed Nicklaus' intellectual property—including his NIL and trademarks—and oversaw his golf course design business. The transaction contained four agreements (purchase and sale; limited liability company or LLC; noncompete; and employment) and each contained forum selections, with New York or Florida listed as the applicable state. The relationship between Nicklaus and Milstein eventually soured. The two disagreed about business matters, including the extent to which, and under which circumstances, Nicklaus could license his IP to golf tournaments and other projects. In 2022, Nicklaus resigned from Nicklaus Companies' board. That same year Nicklaus Companies sued GBI Investors and Nicklaus in New York for breach of contract, tortious interference and related claims. In March a judge held that Nicklaus preserved licensing authority for his NIL, including for deals related to golf course design. Nicklaus Companies, however, owns certain trademarks connected to its licensing, golf course design and several brands, including Golden Bear™ and Jack Nicklaus™. New York litigation involving these parties remains on the docket. In the Florida case, Nicklaus is the plaintiff. He argues the defendants defamed him in statements that 'went viral around the world and tarnished his reputation.' The statements concerned Nicklaus meeting with representatives of Golf Saudi in 2021 for the design of a Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Saudi Arabia. At the time, Saudi Golf was planning LIV Golf and eyed Nicklaus for a leadership role. As Nicklaus tells it, he rebuffed Golf Saudi's overtures because he knew it would prove problematic with the PGA Tour, an organization that is directly connected to his legacy as winner of a record 18 major championships. He also insists Milstein and Nicklaus Companies played no meaningful role in his decision. Nicklaus argues that Nicklaus Companies defamed him by claiming Milstein and company officials saved him from moving forward with Golf Saudi. Nicklaus also contends that Nicklaus Companies suggested to clients and others that Nicklaus, 85, was exhibiting signs of dementia and 'needed to have his car keys taken away.' Whether Nicklaus can prove defamation remains to be seen, but a contract-based forum clause defense for Nicklaus Companies won't end the case. Writing for himself and Judges Dorian K. Damoorgian and Ed Artau, Judge Spencer D. Levine affirmed a trial court's denial of Nicklaus Companies' motion to dismiss based on language in an LLC agreement in 2007. The agreement stated that disputes over 'any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this agreement' are heard in New York. Nicklaus Companies asserts that Nicklaus' defamation case is tied to statements and allegations made in the company's lawsuit in New York and are connected to the LLC agreement. Levine disagreed. He wrote the LLC agreement does not apply to alleged defamation. 'No nexus existed,' the judge explained, 'between the defamation claim and the LLC agreement.' Levine explained that the LLC agreement concerned such business topics as 'organizational matters; capital, capital accounts, and members; distributions; allocations of net profits and net losses; operations; interests and transfers of interests; and dissolution, liquidation, and termination of the Company as well as buy-out rights.' Those subjects, Levine reasoned, contrast with Nicklaus accusing the defendants of making 'false statements relating to Nickalus and the new Saudi golf league.' The Saudi matter is 'wholly independent from the LLC agreement.' The Florida case involving Nicklaus will thus continue. In a statement shared with Sportico, a spokesperson for Nicklaus Companies stressed the appellate court 'did not rule on any issue of fact in favor of one party or another' and instead ruled on where a trial would be held. The spokesperson also mentioned that the Florida court previously 'denied Mr. Nicklaus's motion for punitive damages.' As Nicklaus Companies tells it, the complaint the company filed in New York 'was never given to any reporter, and the facts show the goal was always to minimize public attention while the rights of the parties were properly determined by the New York court,' and no one at the company defamed Nicklaus. 'We maintain the greatest respect for Mr. Nicklaus's legacy and have always hoped to work with him again in some capacity,' the spokesperson said. 'We still hold that hope. In the meantime, we are confident the jury will agree with our position once all the evidence is presented in court.' Best of College Athletes as Employees: Answering 25 Key Questions
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Golf Saudi brings free GoGolf coaching to South Korea at Aramco Korea Championship
SEOUL: Golf Saudi's grassroots coaching initiative, GoGolf, made its international debut in South Korea this month, offering free golf lessons to more than 300 children and Saudi expats during the Aramco Korea Championship. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The initiative was run alongside the $2 million Aramco Korea Championship, part of the new-look PIF Global Series, held at New Korea Country Club from May 9 to 11. At the tournament, Czech golfer Sara Kouskova led her team to victory, while home favourite Kim Hyo-joo clinched the individual title after three days of play. Away from the competition, Golf Saudi delivered three days of onsite coaching clinics as part of its GoGolf program, aimed at introducing new players to the game. Sessions took place on the tournament driving range and were led by Golf Saudi coaches and brand ambassadors. 'At Golf Saudi we are passionate about bringing more and more people into the game we love, helping it continue to grow both in Saudi Arabia and around the world,' said Muath Al-Alsheikh, program manager at GoGolf. 'We know that means enabling access and breaking down barriers of entry wherever possible, so that's why GoGolf offers all Saudis free lessons — and why we were thrilled to host complimentary GoGolf clinics in Seoul. 'It was great to see so many young golfers come and be part of the sessions, including some who were repeat participants — amongst them, several of the Saudi expats. This shows the effectiveness of clinics like these in driving a growing interest in golf,' Al-Alsheikh added. The GoGolf scheme, launched in Saudi Arabia, offers newcomers three months of free lessons, followed by discounted rounds, coaching, and memberships. According to Golf Saudi, the program has delivered more than 70,000 free lessons to date, contributing to a 300 percent increase in Saudi golf participation since 2022. About 3,000 Saudi women have taken up the sport since 2021. In Seoul, participants included local children aged five to eight who were introduced to the game through a partnership with First Tee Korea, a non-profit focused on youth development through golf. Sessions were also open to Saudi expats living in South Korea, some of whom had previously taken up the sport in the Kingdom. 'I really enjoyed GoGolf,' said Abrar Abdulwahab, one of the approximately 100 Saudis who took part. 'I tried golf last year in Saudi Arabia, and now, trying again here, I've definitely noticed an improvement in my skills. When I return to my home, I'll continue learning more, it's been a wonderful experience,' he said. Fellow expat Fahad Al-Qahtani added: 'I'm extremely grateful for this program and its organizers. Not only did I take part in the coaching session, but I also learned about the history of golf in Saudi Arabia, which was really interesting.'
CairoScene
11-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
PIF Launches USD 13 Million Women's Golf Series in Riyadh in 2025
The PIF Global Series features five events across three continents, offering one of the largest prize pools in women's golf. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been announced as the title partner of a newly restructured international women's golf series on the Ladies European Tour (LET), further expanding its investment in global sport and reinforcing its commitment to elevating women's athletic opportunities. 'These tournaments are well supported by our members through their end-to-end event experiences and competitive environments. This investment from PIF continues to raise the level of competition and commitment to the women's game, to ensure our players have the best possible opportunities to develop and succeed on the world stage,' Alexandra Armas, CEO of Ladies European Tour, tells SceneNowSaudi. Launched in collaboration with Golf Saudi, the PIF Global Series will feature five tournaments throughout 2025, with events scheduled across Asia, Europe and North America. The series will open in Riyadh with the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club from February 13th to the 15th, 2025. This flagship event will offer a prize purse of USD 5 million, positioning it among the highest-paying tournaments in women's professional golf. Each of the remaining four events will feature a prize purse of USD 2 million, bringing the total series prize pool to USD 13 million. Alongside the Riyadh stop, tournaments will be held in Seoul, London, Houston and Shenzhen. The format will combine individual and team play, introducing a fresh competitive structure to the LET calendar. "The new PIF Global Series is another huge moment for the LET, as it continues to grow and offer more opportunities for players to play and win in amazing events around the world,' England's Charley Hull and Golf Saudi ambassador said. 'Golf Saudi and PIF have proven to be real game changers for women's golf, once again backing up their commitment to creating equal opportunities and raising the bar for the players. This marks another step in PIF's broader strategy to support women's sport on a global scale, following previous efforts through Golf Saudi and the Aramco Team Series.
Saudi Gazette
09-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
PIF launches global women's golf series with Ladies European Tour
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Golf Saudi announced that the fund has been selected as a principal partner for a new series of tournaments bearing its name, which will include five tournaments on the Ladies European Tour (LET). The new series, called the "Public Investment Fund International Series," will include five tournaments around the world in 2025. The tournaments will adopt a new format that includes both individual and team competitions. The Public Investment Fund Saudi Women's International Championship has also been added to the series' roster for 2025. It also will offer prize money of up to $5 million, while the other four tournaments each offer prize money of up to $2 million, making them among the highest in women's golf. The list of tournaments includes: The Public Investment Fund Saudi Women's International Championship at the Riyadh Golf Club in Riyadh, from February 12 to 15, addition to the Aramco Korea Championship at the New Korea Country Club in Seoul, South Korea, from May 9 to 11, and the Public Investment Fund London Championship at the Centurion Club in London, UK, from August 8 to Aramco Houston Championship will be held in Houston, USA, from September 5 to 7, and the Aramco Shenzhen Championship will be held in Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China, from November 6 to 8, Al-Thunayan, Director of Sponsorships and Events at the PIF, said: 'The Public Investment Fund continues to be a key driver of women's sports growth, committed to achieving long-term positive transformation by enhancing the inspiration and empowerment of women's sports at all levels.'Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, said: 'The partnership aims to develop women's sports in Saudi Arabia and around the world. Through this new partnership, we hope to continue this growth by linking the Kingdom's commitment to women's golf with the global momentum the sport is receiving.'Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, said: 'The new series is highly regarded by all Tour members and is considered one of the major competitions in women's golf. The new partnership with PIF will further enhance the level of competition and commitment to women's golf and ensure our players have the best opportunities to develop and succeed on the international stage.'England's Charley Hull, Golf Saudi ambassador, said: 'The Public Investment Fund's partnership with the Ladies European Tour is transforming the landscape of women's professional golf, providing more athletes with unprecedented opportunities to compete for life-changing prizes. This commitment enhances professionalism and sustainability in golf and empowers a new generation of competitors.'
Leaders
08-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
PIF Drives Women's Golf Revolution with New Global Series Partnership
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) solidifies its role as a trailblazer in women's sports by announcing its title partnership today of a revamped global series. This initiative, unveiled in collaboration with Golf Saudi, elevates the Ladies European Tour (LET) through innovative formats. The series also introduces record-breaking prize money, setting new standards for women's golf worldwide. The newly named PIF Global Series features five tournaments across three continents in 2025. Additionally, each event adopts a novel format that includes both team and individual competitions. Notably, four of the tournaments will offer a prize purse of $2 million, which ranks among the highest in women's golf. The PIF Saudi Ladies International has been added to the 2025 tournament roster, strengthening the series' position. This event stands as a key fixture alongside the regular LET schedule and major competitions. The PIF Saudi Ladies International offers an impressive prize purse of $5 million, making it one of the largest in women's professional golf. Schedule of the PIF Global Series Events The five events comprising the PIF Global Series are as follows: PIF Saudi Ladies International: Riyadh Golf Club, Riyadh (12-15 February, 2025) Aramco Korea Championship: New Korea Country Club, Seoul, South Korea (9-11 May, 2025) PIF Championship: Centurion Club, London (8-10 August, 2025) Aramco Houston Championship: TBC, Houston (5-7 September, 2025) Aramco Shenzhen Championship: Mission Hills, Shenzhen, China (6-8 November, 2025) Today's announcement reinforces PIF's role as a prominent supporter of women's sports globally. The organization breaks down barriers, addresses critical challenges, and drives a promising future for women in sports. Voices of the Game Alanoud Althonayan, Head of Events and Sponsorships at PIF, stated, 'PIF continues to be a catalyst for the growth of women's sports. We are committed to delivering long-term transformative impact by inspiring and empowering female athletes at every level.' Noah Alireza, CEO of Golf Saudi, expressed, 'We are humbled to partner with PIF to grow the women's game locally and globally. Hosting international tournaments has significantly boosted local interest, with over 6,000 individuals registering for our free 'GoGolf' lesson program.' Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour, added, 'Our members strongly support these tournaments through their event experiences and competitive environments. This partnership with PIF raises the level of competition and commitment to the women's game.' Excitement from Golf Saudi Ambassador England's Charley Hull, Golf Saudi ambassador, remarked, 'The new PIF Global Series marks a huge moment for the LET. It continues to grow and offer more opportunities for players to compete and win globally. Golf Saudi and PIF have proven to be game changers for women's golf, creating equal opportunities and raising the bar for players.' Hull expressed her enthusiasm, stating, 'I can't wait to tee it up at series events throughout the year and inspire more young people to take up golf.' With its innovative formats and historic investments, the PIF Global Series redefines women's golf. As the series unfolds, it solidifies Saudi Arabia's role as a trailblazer in global sports development. Short link : Post Views: 17
