Liverpool's FSG owner John Henry's talks with Saudi Arabia PIF explained

Liverpool owner John W. Henry could play a huge part in breaking the deadlock between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Last summer, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, set the golf world alight after they announced their intention to unify the sport by merging, ending over a year of tension between the two.

However, a merger has yet to be fully completed by the two sides - but that could be set to change soon. ESPN report Henry is part of a subcommittee that has been put together to come to terms on a deal that would see $1billion from PIF pumped into the PGA Tour.

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The Fenway Sports Group founder, alongside PGA Tour Enterprises chair Joe Gorder, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, are trying to come to terms with PIF on a deal that would allow Saudi Arabia's PIF invest in the PGA Tour. He is also part of the Strategic Sports Group (SSG), who invested a whopping $3bn into the PGA Tour earlier this year.

Initially back in June 2023, the framework for a deal between the two, and the DP World Tour to unify the sport had been agreed upon. But, the deadline for that agreement expired last year on December 31st. While the two sides remain committed to merging, there has been no breakthrough that would see the sport re-unified after years of fighting.

"I would say that the priority, it's been enhanced," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said last month. "It's stronger. That's a direct result of dialogue and conversation and really starting to talk about the future, future product vision and where we can take our sport.

"I think when you get into productive conversations, that enhances the likelihood of positive outcomes and that enhances the spirit of those very conversations. I think that's where things stand."

However, talks between the PGA Tour and PIF have been criticized by the 9/11 Justice group, who have accused the Saudi Arabian government of supporting the terrorists who carried out the attacks that saw the World Trade Center attacked in 2001.

"Tomorrow, we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, yet here we are today, in New York City, down the street from Ground Zero, and the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods are negotiating with them," Brett Eagleson, the 9/11 Justice president said commenting on the meeting between the two sides.

"As has been confirmed in the last few weeks by CBS reporting, the Saudi Arabian government played a role in the horrific attacks of 9/11. It is disgusting, unacceptable, and incredibly painful that the Tour and Woods would do this — especially now."

Liverpool.com says: "A merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf won't impact Liverpool directly but it will certainly be interesting to see how a potential deal pans out."