The annual Tribute in Light is illuminated over the skyline of Lower Manhattan on Sept. 9, 2024. | Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
The PGA Tour is meeting with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in New York this week, which has understandably enraged 9/11 families.
Families of those who tragically lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, have every right to be angry once again this week—a week in which the greater New York area, and the United States as a whole, is remembered to “Never Forget.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, one day before the 23rd anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attacks in American history, PGA Tour brass held meetings with members of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf’s beneficiary, in New York. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach initially reported the news of these discussions taking place this week.
The report indicates that Tiger Woods and Adam Scott are present for these negotiations. PGA Tour Enterprises chairman Joe Gorder, who is also the Executive Chairman of Valero, and Fenway Sports Group owner John W. Henry are also involved in these discussions.
“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,” said Brett Eagleson, who lost his father John in the attacks and now serves as President of 9/11 Justice, in a statement on Tuesday.
“As has been confirmed in the last few weeks by CBS News 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.”
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi citizens, which explains why 9/11 families have vehemently protested against LIV Golf since its inception. Those same families also voiced their disapproval across three separate Senate hearings over the past 14 months and continue to do so.
But as time goes on, more and more evidence continues to emerge about Saudi Arabia’s role in the 9/11 attacks.
As Eagleson alluded to, a CBS News report from June 2024 includes a newly released video in which a Saudi intelligence operative, Omar al-Bayoumi, references a “plan” for an attack. Within this tape, al-Bayoumi even discussed where to strike the U.S. Capitol building, the presumed target for Flight 93.
“This footage is damning evidence that an official agent of the Saudi Arabian government was complicit in the arrangement and carrying out of the murder of 2,977 innocent men and women on September 11, 2001,” Eagleson said after this video became public.
“The focus must remain on the complicity of the Saudi Government in these heinous acts. It is finally time for Saudi Arabia to be held accountable.”
The Biden Administration released de-classified documents in early 2024 that indicate Saudi government employees aided the attackers in the months and years leading up to that horrific day.
Plus, the Saudi Kingdom has a terrible history of human rights abuses, has subjugated women, facilitated a civil war in Yemen, and murdered Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi. This government also controls all media and restricts any freedoms within its press and among its citizens.
On top of that, PIF Governor Yasir al-Rumayyan, who unveiled the initial framework agreement alongside PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan in June 2023, faces a $74 million lawsuit in Canadian court. Al-Rumayyan allegedly carried “out the instructions” from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to harm, silence, and ultimately destroy the family of Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, Dr. Saad Aljabri.
However, the PIF has more than $700 billion in assets and has invested north of $1 billion in LIV Golf’s launch. It has investments in almost every industry, many of which are in the United States. Look no further than its recently announced plans to create a $40 billion fund for Artificial Intelligence (AI), per Time Magazine.
The Saudi Arabian Kingdom knows that oil—its most important export—is a depreciating asset. So, it has felt obligated to diversify its economy through investments in everything from Newcastle United in the English Premier League to artificial intelligence and Twitter to aviation. And these moves have worked.
No wonder bin Salman said he would “continue to sportswash,” with LIV Golf being a perfect example. This practice helps the Saudi economy while improving its stature on the world stage despite its precarious history.
Regardless, representatives from the PGA Tour and the PIF continue to work towards an agreement that would perhaps unite men’s professional golf once again. The tour also hopes a deal would see the PIF join the Strategic Sports Group (SSG) as another billion-dollar investor.
Yet, Eagleson and hundreds of other families continue to fight on, even though the anniversary of the worst day of their lives is sadly now upon them.
“Former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris will tour the 9/11 memorials tomorrow,” Eagleson added.
“We implore they address the new evidence that has recently come to light showing Saudi government support for the 9/11 attacks.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
