LIV Golf and PGA Tour Merger: Regulatory Challenges Rise on Both Sides of the Atlantic
Jan 13, 2025

LIV Golf and PGA Tour Merger: Regulatory Challenges Rise on Both Sides of the Atlantic

As LIV Golf and the PGA Tour work towards finalizing their historic merger, the deal could potentially reshape the landscape of sports entertainment and raise significant regulatory considerations across the Atlantic. According to a report from Euronews, the outcomes of US and EU merger scrutiny might differ substantially.

In a surprising turn of events in June 2023, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf announced an agreement to unite their assets under a new entity aimed at globally unifying the sport of golf. This agreement marks a significant shift, given the backdrop of tension between the giants, which included an antitrust lawsuit by 11 LIV Golf players against the PGA Tour. This merger plan aims to expand their "combined commercial businesses" and enhance "fan engagement."

However, the integration awaits completion of discussions around compensating players loyal to the PGA Tour, signaling that significant steps remain before the financial close of the deal. If successful, the merger will likely attract the attention of competition authorities on both sides of the Atlantic due to its potential impact on the golf tour market.

Competition law expert Asfand Gulzar highlights that this merger would consolidate an already concentrated market, reducing competition from two dominant entities to one. He also notes that the European Commission is likely to scrutinize the potential market power of the new entity, focusing on factors such as market innovation.

Both LIV Golf's disruptive strategies, like introducing shorter competitions and innovative formats, and the competitive tension with the PGA Tour have driven financial perks for players, including increased tournament prize pools and upfront payment retainers. This rivalry has also prompted the PGA Tour to raise its prize money, enhancing player benefits across the board.

Broadcasting rights are another pivotal concern. The European Commission is expected to explore whether the possible merger could lead to increased costs for broadcasters, potentially resulting in higher prices for fans accessing events and content. Such consumer impacts will play a crucial role in the Commission's evaluation of the deal.

Meanwhile, the approach of US authorities remains uncertain. The US Department of Justice, having previously signaled a review of the merger under the perspective of antitrust law, may or may not align with the European regulatory stance. Under the potential leadership of Gail Slater in the Department of Justice's antitrust division, a different methodology might emerge in the Trump administration's era.

The potential legislative and regulatory divides between the US and EU could act as an early test for how the Trump administration might differentiate its merger strategies compared to the European Commission. Whether this joint venture in the world of golf will lead to greater unity or deeper regulatory challenges remains to be seen.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY
    3. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

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    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

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    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
  7. 7. GLOBAL PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
    2. PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY
  8. 8. GLOBAL IMPORTS

    The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
  9. 9. GLOBAL EXPORTS

    The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

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  11. 11. COUNTRY PROFILES

    The Largest Markets And Their Profiles

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    • United States
    • China
    • Japan
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Brazil
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    • Russian Federation
    • India
    • Canada
    • Australia
    • Republic of Korea
    • Spain
    • Mexico
    • Indonesia
    • Netherlands
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    • Saudi Arabia
    • Switzerland
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    • Nigeria
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    • Argentina
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    • Denmark
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    • Israel
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    • Philippines
    • Finland
    • Chile
    • Ireland
    • Pakistan
    • Greece
    • Portugal
    • Kazakhstan
    • Algeria
    • Czech Republic
    • Qatar
    • Peru
    • Romania
    • Vietnam
  12. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption, By Country, 2018–2024
    5. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Import Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    11. Export Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
  13. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Consumption, By Country, 2024
    4. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    5. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    6. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    7. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    8. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    9. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    10. Production Volume And Growth
    11. Exports And Growth
    12. Export Prices And Growth
    13. Market Size And Growth
    14. Per Capita Consumption
    15. Imports And Growth
    16. Import Prices
    17. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    18. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    19. Production, By Country, 2024
    20. Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    21. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    22. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    24. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    25. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    26. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    28. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    30. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    31. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    32. Export Prices, 2012–2024

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