SAN JOSE, Calif. — LIV Golf, a Saudi-funded antitrust litigation against the PGA Tour, has filed a case. The case will go to trial in 16 months.
U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman scheduled the trial for Jan. 8, 2024, on Thursday.
Depending on whether LIV lawyers proceed with a preliminary order — the judge stated she had room in her schedule in late September and early October — this means that PGA Tour players who were suspended for signing with a rival league could be allowed to attend PGA Tour events for another year.
Freeman refused to grant a temporary restraining or was not requested by Talor Gooch, Hudson SwaffordAnd Matt JonesWho wanted to compete on the PGA Tours postseason.
LIV attorneys wanted a trial date of Aug. 7, 2023. They argued that the case should be expedited. PGA Tour lawyers said it was unreasonable to prepare adequately. They also pointed out that it occurred at the same time as the FedEx Cup playoffs. This makes it difficult to get Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner and other executives to testify.
Freeman set July 23, 2023 as the date for summary judgement. At that point, the tour will likely ask that the case is dismissed.
11 players filed the lawsuit two weeks ago, however Carlos OrtizHe asked to be removed from the lawsuit. LIV attorneys stated that it would require discovery material from nine players, which could indicate that another player might have dropped out.