​A group of companies that claims to be the originators of a world golf league has filed a lawsuit against LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and other parties, seeking as much as $630 million in damages, according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. The action was brought by lawyers representing the World Golf Group and Premier Golf League. The plaintiffs allege breaches of confidence and unlawful means conspiracy by LIV Golf, the PIF, Golf Saudi, and others. Two former World Golf Group founders, Richard Marsh and Jed Moore, are specifically accused of breaching fiduciary duties by helping the Saudis initiate LIV Golf.
In the complaint, the Claimants state that they conceived the concept for a new golf league called the Premier Golf League. Over several years, they claim to have refined the league’s format and produced a range of intellectual property—business plans, contracts, financial models, and other proprietary material—that they say formed the blueprint for the league’s launch and eventual success. The Defendants allegedly conspired to use the Claimants’ confidential information without their permission in order to launch the LIV Golf League.
The lawsuit was filed in London’s Commercial Court on April 16, and the Claimants seek damages ranging from $210 million to $630 million. The complaint further alleges that Moore and Andy Gardner met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to discuss Saudi investment in the Premier Golf League, and that the PIF agreed to fund nearly half of a roughly $1 billion investment into the new league in 2019. The Premier Golf League was proposed to emulate LIV Golf in its early stages, featuring 54 holes, team formats and additional elements. Moore, Gardner, and Marsh eventually became among the 30 founders of the World Golf Group in 2018.
Al-Rumayyan reportedly signed a nonbinding letter of intent in November 2019 to invest about $490 million into the league, but only if the Premier Golf League could attract elite golfers. Representatives reportedly met with several prominent PGA Tour players and their agents after that, including Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, and Adam Scott. Despite offers of contracts to 11 top golfers, many players refused to sign, citing threats from the PGA Tour and other parties. Subsequently, the Tour and the DP World Tour formed a partnership, and it was after that development that the PIF sought to acquire the Premier Golf League. However, a deal never materialized, and LIV Golf was eventually established, with its first tournament staged in June 2022.
The lawsuit contends that the Saudis rejected the Premier Golf League’s final asking price during negotiations and later asked Marsh and Gardner to become involved with LIV Golf. Gardner allegedly reminded the Saudis of the confidential terms of their prior dealings, while Marsh resigned and joined the Saudis in May 2021. The complaint also notes that Majed Al-Sorour, the CEO of Golf Saudi, acknowledged that the Claimants possessed valuable intellectual property, personnel, and expertise that could be acquired in exchange for a financial sum.