LIV Golf gets another setback in court fight with PGA Tour
A federal judge has ruled the PGA Tour can add Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and its governor, Yasir al-Rumayyan, as defendants in its countersuit in the ongoing legal fight with LIV Golf.
The ruling Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman was the second setback in the last week for Saudi-funded LIV Golf, which has accused the PGA Tour of monopolistic actions as the rival league gets started.
LIV Golf's second season kicks off Friday at a Mexican beach resort south of Cancun.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen last week ruled the Public Investment Fund, which owns 93% of LIV Golf, and al-Rumayyan are required to give testimony and produce documents related to the antitrust lawsuit.
Now their involvement deepens as defendants in the countersuit.
Lawyers for PIF and al-Rumayyan had sought to quash subpoenas claiming sovereign immunity. They are expected to appeal van Keulen's decision that their involvement falls under the commercial activity exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act.
HARRINGTON, PEPPER AMONG 12 FINALISTS FOR GOLF HALL OF FAME >>
Threetime major champion Padraig Harrington, double major winner Dottie Pepper and swing coach Butch Harmon were among 12 finalists announced for the 2024 Class of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The 31-member nominating panel whittled the list down to four men, four women and four contributors. A 20-member selection panel comprising Hall of Fame members, media and leaders of major golf organizations meet on March 8 at The Players Championship to vote on induction.
Harrington was a finalist last time, the Irishman with 21 victories worldwide,
most notably one stretch when he won the British Open in 2007 at Carnoustie and in 2008 at Royal Birkdale. He also became the first European in 78 years to win the PGA Championship when he won at Oakland Hills in 2008.
MLB
YANKEES' MONTAS HAS SURGERY, COULD RETURN IN 2ND HALF >> Frankie Montas won't start throwing until at least late May following right shoulder surgery, a timetable that could allow him to pitch for the New York Yankees in the season's second half.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday the labrum of the 29-year-old right-hander was cleaned up during the procedure a day earlier and Montas' rotator cuff did not need to be repaired. Montas won't throw for 12 weeks.
NFL EX-PLAYER RECOVERS AFTER SAVING HIS KIDS FROM DROWNING >>
A former NFL running back said he's on the road to recovery after he nearly died while saving his two children from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle.
Peyton Hillis issued
a statement on Twitter, thanking those who helped him following the Jan. 4 incident on Pensacola Beach. He was initially on a ventilator, but was released from the hospital in mid-January.
Hillis, 37, said he hasn't done any interviews because it was a “very traumatic time” and he wanted to keep his family out of the public eye.
Hillis was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2008 and also played with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. He retired in 2015.
Soccer MLS SAYS SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS TOP CANDIDATES FOR 30TH TEAM >>
With opening day approaching Saturday, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber expressed hope to pick a 30th team by the end of the year.
MLS has nearly tripled in size from 2004, when it was a 10-team league. St. Louis, the 29th team, starts play Saturday at Austin.
“We do need more teams. The 30th team will come at some point soon. Hopefully, we'd like to get that announced by the end of the year,” Garber said. “We say we're going to stop at 30 but the other major leagues are larger than that. I never say never in Major League Soccer. There are many other markets that are opportunities for us. I think San Diego and Las Vegas are the most likely opportunities for 30.”
He mentioned Detroit; Phoenix; Sacramento and Tampa, Florida, as other expansion possibilities. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE >> Joško Gvardiol stifled the threat of Manchester City star Erling Haaland before scoring himself to earn Leipzig a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup in the Champions League.
The Croatia center back, nicknamed “Little Pep” because of the similarities of his last name with that of City manager Pep Guardiola, headed home the equalizer in the 70th minute after Leipzig finally got to grips with the English champions.
City dominated the first half without Haaland, its top scorer, getting a sight on goal and Riyad Mahrez netted the 27th-minute opener after Ilkay Gundogan flicked through a pass from Jack Grealish. ... Romelu Lukaku scored late to fire Inter Milan to a 1-0 win over 10-man Porto in the first leg of their round-of-16 matchup. They were Lukaku's first goals since October and took his tally to just four since returning from Chelsea in the offseason.
Tennis DJOKOVIC HOPES TO PLAY IN US DESPITE BEING UNVACCINATED >>
Novak Djokovic has asked American authorities for special permission to enter the United States to play tennis tournaments in California and Florida despite being unvaccinated against the coronavirus, the top-ranked Serb said.
The Transportation Security Administration has said the requirement for foreign air travelers to be fully vaccinated against the disease would be in place at least until midApril.