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☆ Saudi Arabia is pulling back on a global spending spree to focus on its own projects
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Now the Kingdom plans to cut its foreign investment to prioritize domestic spending. AI is the new focus of investment as Saudi Arabia looks to position itself as a global technology hub. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is pulling back on its global spending spree to focus on domestic investments. In September, Saudi Arabia held the third Global AI Summit, attracting a host of high-profile leaders and dealmakers. The new focus on domestic investment comes as Saudi Arabia's spending on Neom, its futuristic megacity in the desert, hit $1 trillion.

Persons: —, Yasir Al Rumayyan, we've, Al Rumayyan, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Hamad I Mohammed, Uber, Andreessen Horowitz Organizations: Service, Public Investment Fund, Future Investment, Economic, REUTERS, Investors, Saudi Press Agency, Financial Times, Saudi, AI, Bloomberg, Sindalah Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Davos, Switzerland, Neom

☆ Saudi sovereign wealth fund announces $2 billion deal for new Brookfield Middle East platform
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Brookfield Asset Management, under which the wealth fund will serve as a strategic anchor investor for the asset manager's newly announced private equity vehicle for the region, Brookfield Middle East Partners. Signed at the eighth edition of Future Investment Initiative, Saudi Arabia's flagship annual economic conference in Riyadh, the non-binding agreement marks the kingdom's latest push for financial partnerships that boost private equity investment and economic development within its borders. The move is in line with Saudi Arabia's recently-updated Investment Law, which seeks to attract more foreign direct investment — it's set itself a lofty target of $100 billion in annual FDI by 2030. Currently, that figure has averaged around $12 billion per year since Vision 2030 was announced in 2017, according to data from the kingdom's investment ministry — still a long way from that goal. The PIF, the kingdom's $925 billion sovereign wealth fund, has deployed billions in capital around the world as it aims to diversify Saudi Arabia's revenue streams away from oil, materializing the central goal of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 campaign.

Persons: —, Prince Mohammed bin Salman's, Yasir al Rumayyan, Bruce Flatt Organizations: Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Wednesday, Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Middle East Partners, Future Investment Initiative, Saudi Arabia's, Brookfield, Brookfield Academy Locations: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi

The talks between the tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV Golf, are "extremely active," the person said. A PGA Tour representative declined to comment. The deal will reportedly be structured similar to their deal with the Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of investors. "By making PGA TOUR members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA TOUR," Monahan said at the time. After clear lines were drawn, players expressed frustration about the proposed deal, leading the tour to increase financial incentives for golfers.

Persons: LIV, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, John Henry —, McIlroy, PIF, Jay Monahan, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, hasn't, " Monahan, Jimmy Dunne, Dunne, Phil Mickelson, —, Monahan Organizations: THE, Sawgrass, CNBC, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Fenway Sports, Saudi, Strategic Sports Group, The New York Times, Tour Enterprises, PGA, Fenway Sports Group Locations: Ponte Vedra Beach , Florida, Saudi, New York

☆ Oil prices rise but hover near four-month low on OPEC+ supply increase later this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Aramco), speaks during a news conference in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. Crude oil futures rebounded slightly Wednesday but hovered near a four-month low as a decision by OPEC+ to increase production later this year continued to weigh on the market. U.S. crude oil and global benchmark Brent are down more than 4% this week after eight OPEC+ members agreed Sunday to gradually phase out 2.2 million barrels per day in production cuts. OPEC+ won't start increasing production until October, and the global oil balance sheet will tighten beforehand, Patterson said. Here are today's energy prices:"The technicals also suggest that the oil market is entering oversold territory," Patterson told clients in a research note on Wednesday.

Persons: Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Warren Patterson, Patterson, Bob Yawger, Yawger Organizations: Saudi Arabian Oil Co, Aramco, OPEC, Brent, ING, Mizuho Securities Locations: Dammam, Saudi Arabia, .

☆ Saudi oil giant Aramco posts 25% fall in full-year profit
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Dan Murphy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesSaudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco reported a 25% decline in profit to $121.3 billion in 2023, down from $161.1 billion in 2022. Changing HandsThe earnings come after the Saudi government transferred an additional 8% of Aramco shares, worth $164 billion, to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). PIF already owned 4% of Aramco, and controls Sanabil, a financial investment firm, which owns 4% of Aramco as well. Aramco said total dividends of $97.8 billion were paid in 2023, up 30% from 2022. watch nowThe PIF's 16% state in Aramco, worth an estimated $328 billion, is set to strengthen its financial position and boost its ability to deploy capital to invest on behalf of the Saudi state.

Persons: Artur Widak, Amin Nasser, Yasir Al Organizations: Aramco, Saudi Arabian Oil Group, World Petroleum Congress, Nurphoto, Getty, Saudi, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Locations: Saudi, Stampede, Calgary, Canada, Aramco

☆ PGA Tour secures up to $3 billion from U.S. investors as LIV Golf merger hangs in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jessica Golden | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The PGA Tour logo is seen during the third round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, on June 24, 2017. A U.S. consortium has agreed to invest up to $3 billion into the PGA Tour, the professional golf organization announced on Wednesday. Under the terms of the deal, the investor, Strategic Sports Group, will become a minority owner in PGA Tour enterprises, the for-profit entity of the PGA Tour. "Today marks an important moment for the PGA Tour and fans of golf across the world," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. "By making PGA Tour members owners of their league, we strengthen the collectives investment of our players in the success of the PGA Tour," Monahan said.

Persons: LIV, PIF, Jay Monahan, " Monahan, Fenway Sports Group's John Henry, Arthur Blank, Steve Cohen, Tom Ricketts, Wyc Grousbeck, John Henry, Monahan, Henry, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Critics, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brook Koepka, John Rahm Organizations: PGA Tour, Strategic Sports Group, Saudi, PGA, Fenway Sports, Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank , New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Boston Celtics, Fenway Sports Group, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Saudi Public Investment, CNBC, Justice Department Locations: Cromwell , Connecticut, U.S, Arthur Blank ,, Saudi Arabia, Saudi

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The PGA Tour is getting a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group in a deal that would give players access to more than $1.5 billion as equity owners in the new PGA Tour Enterprises. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was holding a conference call with players about the deal that was finalized Tuesday night. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“By making PGA Tour members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA Tour,” Monahan, who will be CEO of PGA Tour Enterprises, said in the formal announcement. While specific details of the equity ownership program were not announced, the initial grants would be based on career accomplishments, recent achievements and PGA Tour status. The European tour was part of the framework agreement on June 6, and it has a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour.

Persons: LIV Golf, Jay Monahan, ” Monahan, Marc Attanasio, Arthur Blank, Steven Cohen, Wyc Grousbeck, Tom Werner, John Henry, Marc Lasry, Alec Scheiner, ”, Henry, Woods, Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson, Peter Malnati, Yasir Al, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, LIV, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, PIF, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, ___ Organizations: Strategic Sports Group, Tour Enterprises, PGA Tour, SSG, Associated Press, Washington Post, Public Investment Fund, PGA, SSG —, Tour, Fenway Sports Group, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Mets, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Browns, RedBird, Fenway Sports, PGA Tour Enterprises, Saudi, Monday, PIF Locations: Calif, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, PIF, Mexico

☆ PGA Tour commissioner says he's talking to possible investors ahead of Saudi deal deadline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Drew Richardson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan speaks during a press conference prior to the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 24, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said Wednesday that the organization is talking to several potential investors as a deadline to clinch a deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund rapidly approaches. LIV and the PGA Tour were engaged in an antitrust legal battle dating back to last year. The deal had the PGA Tour retaining control in the face of an existential threat, he added. The PIF and "likely another co-investor with significant experience in business and sports will help the PGA Tour take share from other sports and be even more competitive."

Persons: Jay Monahan, " Monahan, Yasir bin Othman Al, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Monahan, LIV Golf, LIV, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Saud Arabia's Organizations: East Lake Golf Club, PGA, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, The New York Times, Saudi Crown, PGA Tour, Public Investment Fund, Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group, Endeavor Group Holdings, Endeavor Locations: Atlanta , Georgia, Saudi

For the international bankers, executives and officials who had gathered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to make deals, the war raging in Gaza and Israel felt like a distant backdrop. Instead, when speakers took the stage, they praised Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to remake Saudi Arabia and focused on the future: artificial intelligence, longevity science, renewable energy. Israel has laid siege to the Gaza Strip and unleashed a fierce bombardment. That has prompted protests across the region, reinvigorating vocal Arab support for the Palestinian cause — including among many Saudi citizens. Yet Saudi officials have made it clear that they are determined to prevent all of that from casting a pall over Prince Mohammed’s plans for the kingdom, which include reshaping the economy to reduce dependence on oil and turning the country into a global hub for business and tourism.

Persons: —, Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s, ”, Yasir al, Prince Mohammed’s Organizations: Future Investment, Hamas, Gaza, Saudi Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Gaza, Israel, Saudi Arabia, East

☆ Tiger Woods: How the battle for golf’s soul gave the US golfer new-found purpose – and human connection
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Don Riddell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

CBS Archive/Getty Images Woods, 6, sizes up a putt in Los Alamitos, California, in 1982. Getty Images/Getty Images Woods hits a tee shot during the 1995 Walker Cup, an international team event. Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images Woods plays a shot from the ninth fairway during the 2000 US Open in Pebble Beach, California. David Cannon/Getty Images Woods falls to the ground in pain after hitting a shot at The Barclays in August 2013. Jamie Squire/Getty Images Woods and his son, Charlie, warm up before the final round of the PNC Championship in December 2020.

Persons: Woods, Alan Shipnuck, LIV, ” Shipnuck, ” Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Crushers, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri, Chris Trotman, “ Tiger’s, “ He’s, he’s, “, “ LIV, Greg Norman, Quentin Tarantino, Brooks Koepka, Koepka, David J, Phillip, Mike Douglas, Bob Hope, Jack D, Miller, AP Woods, Rick Dole, Bob Galbraith, David Cannon, Robert Beck, Patrick Murphy, Nike — Woods, Lennox McLendon, Stephen Munday, Earl, Dave Martin, Alexander Hassenstein, Jonathan Ferrey, He's, Andy Lyons, Allsport, Bob May, Fred Vuich, Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus, Logan Mock, Bunting, Phil Mickelson, Mickelson, Matthew Stockman, Steve Williams, Harry, Williams, Sam, Damian Dovarganes, Rocco, Gary A, Vasquez, Barack Obama, Pete Souza, Stuart Franklin, Elin, Charlie, Ezra Shaw, Eric Gay, Jimmy Fallon, Lloyd Bishop, Arnold Palmer, Chris Condon, Jason Dufner, Lindsey Vonn, Marco Trovati, Lannis, John Amis, Donald Trump, Getty Images Woods, Warren Little, Jamie Squire, Ben Jared, Wally Skalij, Shutterstock Woods, Tiger, Sam Greenwood, Cliff Hawkins, Jonathan Ernst, they’re, Shipnuck, ‘ I’m, Justin Thomas, I’m, ”, they’ve, what’s, Rory McIlroy, Rory, “ Rory, Bryson DeChambeau, ’, he’d, DeChambeau, “ Patrick Reed, Sergio García, “ Phil Mickelson, HyFlyers, Suhaimi Abdullah, Jay Monahan, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Phil Mickelson’s, Jamal Khashoggi, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman, Reed, Garcia Organizations: CNN, CNN Sport, PGA Tour, LIV, Miami, PGA, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, CBS, AP, Tiger, US Junior Amateur, Getty, Los Angeles, Tour, Stanford University, NCAA, Nike —, Las Vegas, Green, Army, Tiger Woods Foundation, Ford, British, Woods Learning, USA, Office, Stanford, NBCU, Bank, Bay, Invitational, Barclays, Trump, Getty Images, PNC, Law, Los Angeles Times, PNC Championship, Hall of Fame, Reuters, HyFlyers GC, Sentosa Golf, European, MBS, Fox News, ” CNN Locations: Los Angeles, Saudi, Delaware, Tiger’s, Los Alamitos , California, Vietnamese, Vietnam, Orange, United States, France, Hamburg, Germany, Pebble Beach , California, St . Andrews, Scotland, Louisville , Kentucky, Fort Bragg , North Carolina, Hoylake, England, Anaheim , California, Woods, Dublin , Ohio, Beaver Creek , Colorado, Atlanta, Rancho Palos Verdes , California, Pacific Palisades , California, Singapore, London, McIroy

A Saudi man's reflection is seen in mirror glass at the Future Investment Initiative conference, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 25, 2022. Geopolitical tensions heightened by the Middle East conflict pose the biggest threat to the world economy, World Bank President Ajay Banga said. The conflict could upset the stability of the Middle East just as regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia pours hundreds of billions of dollars into a vast economic transformation plan. Saudi Arabia is putting U.S.-backed plans to normalise ties with Israel on ice, two sources familiar with Riyadh's thinking said, signalling a rapid rethinking of its foreign policy priorities as war rages between Israel and Hamas. The last year has seen Saudi Arabia spend billions on companies, from sports to gaming to aviation.

Persons: Ahmed Yosri, Ajay Banga, Banga, Laurence Fink, Fink, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, JPMorgan's, Jamie Dimon, Jane Fraser, Ray Dalio, Dalio, Noel Quinn, Bill Winters, Barack Obama, Yasser al, Salomon, Hess, Stephen Schwarzman, Schwarzman, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden's, Richard Attias, Rosario, Amanda Cooper, Alun John, Michael Georgy, Anousha, John O'Donnell, Susan Fenton Organizations: Future Investment Initiative, REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Arabia's, Hamas, BlackRock, Bridgewater Associates, HSBC, Former U.S, U.S, Saudi Telecom Corp, Telefonica, Investment Fund, Chevron, Blackstone Group, Investment Initiative, Saudi, FII, Reuters, Jorgelina, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rights RIYADH, Israel, Davos, Swiss, Gaza, Europe, Asia, London

LONDON, Sept 21 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Barely a day goes by without an eye-catching story involving Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. A third of the fund consists of significant stakes in domestic companies like the $51 billion Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE) and $53 billion Saudi National Bank (1180.SE). Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe PIF’s investment strategy is also racier than its more conservative peers. But the episode reinforces the impression that the PIF is a mix of venture capital, hedge fund and startup money. The most spectacular was probably handing $45 billion to SoftBank Group (9984.T) boss Masayoshi Son for his $100 billion first Vision Fund.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, It’s, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Yasir Al, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, Rumayyan, Salman bin Abdulaziz, Masayoshi Son, SWFs, Taiwan’s Foxconn, Peter Thal Larsen, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Standard Chartered, Spanish telco Telefonica, Fund, Abu, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Global, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Saudi, Saudi Telecom Company, Saudi National Bank, Saudi Aramco, giga, Qatar Investment Authority, Singapore’s Temasek, Al, MbS, SoftBank Group, Vision, Credit Suisse, UBS, Saudi giga, Aramco, Investment, Thomson Locations: Spanish, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Saudi

☆ Elon Musk denied a report that Tesla planned to build a factory in Saudi Arabia. It's the latest development in his complicated history with the nation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Elon Musk has denied a report suggesting Tesla has plans to set up a factory in Saudi Arabia. It marks the latest twist in a long and complex history between Musk and Saudi Arabia. "Obviously, the Saudi sovereign fund has more than enough capital needed to execute on such a transaction." Funding secured. Funding secured."

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla, Musk, — Elon, Yasir al, hadn't, Jty05oJUTk, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, Yasir Organizations: Street Journal, Service, Wall, Journal, Democratic, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Tesla, New York Times, Lucid Motors, JPMorgan, Financial Times, Lucid, @elonmusk, Twitter, Kingdom Holding Co, Reuters, Bloomberg Locations: Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saudi, Here's, Tesla, Saudi Prince, San Francisco

☆ US Senate issues subpoena to PIF subsidiary regarding PGA Tour deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows the logo of PGA Tour during the Canadian Open’s Championship Pro-Am after news was released of a new partnership between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Nick Lachance/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate has issued a subpoena to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's (PIF) U.S. subsidiary over its planned partnership with the PGA Tour, it said on Wednesday. The subpoena calls for the release of documents related to PIF's framework agreement with the PGA Tour and other investments throughout the United States, the U.S. Senate said in a news release. The announcement came ahead of Wednesday's hearing by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), which is expected to focus on PIF's investments and efforts to gain influence in the United States. "The Saudi's Public Investment Fund cannot have it both ways - if it wants to engage with the United States commercially, it must be subject to United States law and oversight," Senator Richard Blumenthal, chair of the PSI, said.

Persons: LIV, Nick Lachance, Richard Blumenthal, Blumenthal, Greg Norman, LIV Golf, Yasir al, Jamal Khashoggi, Frank Pingue, David Holmes Organizations: Tour, Canadian, PGA Tour, Oakdale, Country Club, REUTERS, U.S . Senate, Saudi Arabian Public Investment, PGA, Investigations, Public Investment, United, Senate, Saudi, LIV Golf, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Toronto , Ontario, Canada, United States, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Toronto

The surprise deal, which would join the venerable PGA Tour and a rival Saudi-funded golf start-up, LIV, was announced in June. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund, called the Public Investment Fund, or PIF, is controlled by the Saudi government. The Saudi Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the subpoena, which names the Public Investment Fund's New York-based U.S. subsidiary, USSA International. This summer's announcement of the PGA-Saudi golf deal ended a legal battle between the two rivals. Blumenthal said available public records indicate the Saudi sovereign wealth fund has expanded its investments in the United States from $2 billion in 2018 to $35 billion now.

Persons: Sen, Richard Blumenthal's, al, LIV, ” Blumenthal, Blumenthal, “, ”, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Organizations: WASHINGTON, Saudi, PGA, Connecticut, Senate, PGA Tour, Public Investment Fund, Public Investment, United, Saudi Embassy, USSA, Crown Locations: United States, Saudi, York, San Francisco, Saudi Arabia

☆ Saudi Arabia is spending billions on sports, tech and everything in between for a post-oil world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Saudi Arabia sparked international outrage in 2018 after Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and continues to face accusations of human rights violations. Despite this, little has been able to stop Saudi Arabia from exerting more and more influence on the global stage. GettyImages/Unsplash/NeomLike many countries, Saudi Arabia's economy suffered when the pandemic struck in 2020, but the only way has been up since then. Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty ImagesBoth at home and far away, Saudi Arabia hasn't shied away from investing boatloads of cash. The total hit 32.2 million in May with a median age of 29, according to Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics.

Persons: Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Jamal Khashoggi, It's, Ahmed Jadallah, Saudi Arabia's, Sergio Garcia, Chris Trotman, LIV, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Yasir Al, Jasmin Merdan, Abdullah Al, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al, Saud, JOE KLAMAR Organizations: Service, Washington Post, Bank, IMF, REUTERS, Saudi Aramco, King, King Abdullah Economic City, Getty, Public Investment Fund, MBS, Newcastle United, LIV, PGA, Saudi, Reuters, Saudi Arabia's, Authority, Statistics, Gulf States Energy, United Arab Emirates, Arab League Locations: Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, Gulf, Saudi, Istanbul, Gulf Kingdom, Ahmed Jadallah Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, Jasmin Merdan Saudi's, Riyadh, Arab, Vienna, AFP, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar

☆ Saudi Arabia soccer spending ranks second in the world as it bids to become global powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Matthew Ward-Perkins | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe Saudi Arabian soccer transfer window has slammed shut, marking the end of a historic summer of spending from clubs based in the Gulf state. Saudi clubs outspent four of the "big five" soccer leagues, the first time another league has outspent any members of the dominant European grouping since 2016. However, human rights groups and activists have criticized the high levels of soccer investment from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East, with accusations of "sportswashing" leveled at the country. The European Club Association, which represents 220 soccer clubs from across Europe, discussed the impact of Saudi Arabia's investment in the sport at its General Assembly this month. "We believe in ourselves … we have the best competition in the world, the biggest clubs in the world, the best players in the world.

Persons: Mohamed Salah, Hilal, spender, CNBC's David Faber, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Glazer, Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Karim Benzema Organizations: Saudi Arabia's Pro League, English Premier League, Liverpool, country's Public Investment Fund, Chelsea FC outspent, Public Investment, Manchester United Saudi, Manchester United, Saudi, European Club Association, Assembly, Champions League, Afp, Getty Locations: Saudi, Gulf, Al, Ittihad, Ahli, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Europe

☆ Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia's grand plan to future-proof its oil-based economy. Experts say it's a huge risk.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia's grand plan to transform its economy and reduce its reliance on oil. The centerpiece of Vision 2030 is Neom, which includes a $1 trillion megacity known as The Line. But time is ticking: Seven years after announcing Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has reached the midway point of its timeline, with just seven years left to the finish line. That said, much of this is being financed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia's powerful sovereign wealth fund, which manages assets worth about $700 billion. NeomA key factor that could determine this project's success involves Saudi Arabia's changing appeal to the West.

Persons: Saud, who's, Simon Mabon, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, McKinsey —, —, Gerald Feierstein, Barack Obama, Feierstein, Richard Callis, Prince Mohammed, Yasir Othman al, Mabon, Prince Mohammed's, there's, Muslimi, they're Organizations: Foreign Policy Center, Saudi Royal Court, REUTERS, Saudi Crown, McKinsey, Middle East Institute, Public Investment Fund, Saudi, SoftBank's Vision, Newcastle United soccer, Newcastle United FC, Saudi Aramco, International Monetary Fund, Chatham House, Neom, United, Bloomberg, Amnesty International Locations: Saudi, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, London, NEOM, Bandar, Yemen, Ukraine, Riyadh, Jeddah, they're, United Arab Emirates, Neom

The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund reported an AUM of 1.98 trillion riyals for 2021. The PIF said it generated a total shareholders' return of 8% and established 25 companies in 2022, and locally deployed 120 billion riyals in that year in strategic sectors. The PIF said 23% of its AUM were international investments, while 68% were local investments and the remainder were treasury. PIF is the chosen vehicle of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, to drive an economic agenda aimed at cutting reliance on oil. The fund raised $5.5 billion in February from a green bond sale, following its inaugural green bond that raised $3 billion in October.

Persons: Yasir Othman Al, Mohammed Abdullah Al Jadaan, Ahmed Aqeel Al Khateeb, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Majid Abdullah Al Qasabi, Khalid Abdulaziz Al Falih, PIF, Ahmed Elimam, Alex Richardson Organizations: Saudi Public Investment, Saudi Finance, Tourism, Investment, Read, Saudi, Public Investment Fund, Sunday, Aramco, Sanabil Investments, Thomson Locations: Saudi, DUBAI, London , New York, Hong Kong, Saudi Aramco

☆ Saudi golf shot plays through CFIUS hazards
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

U.S. congressional lawmakers scrutinized PGA Tour officials on Tuesday this week about the group’s tie-up with a rival golf tournament owned by Saudi Arabia. Enter the Saudis, who launched an upstart golf tournament last year, LIV Golf, that competed with the U.S.-based PGA Tour and its European counterpart DTP. There are worries that Saudi Arabia, a regime viewed as hostile to women and LGBTQ groups, would have significant sway over golf’s culture. LIV Golf is owned by Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Former AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson resigned from the PGA Tour policy board, the Washington Post reported on July 9.

Persons: State Condoleezza Rice, Darla Moore, Covid, LIV Golf, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Yasir Al, Ed Herlihy, Wachtell, Lipton, Katz, hasn’t, Randall Stephenson, Jamal Khashoggi, ”, Richard Blumenthal, –, Sherrod Brown, Maxine Waters, Janet Yellen, LIV Golf’s, Joe Biden hasn't, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, Uncle Sam, Refinitiv, China’s ByteDance, LIV, Stephenson, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam Organizations: YORK, Reuters, Public Investment Fund, Augusta National Golf Club, State, U.S, PGA, LIV, Rosen, Breakingviews, Former AT, PGA Tour, Saudi, Department of Justice, Foreign Investment, U.S . Treasury, Saudi Arabian Crown, Walmart, Visa, Uber Technologies, Nation Entertainment, National Basketball League, Houston Rockets, People’s, NBA, backtrack, FIFA, Qatar, The Justice Department, Treasury, Committee, Homeland Security, Governmental Affairs, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, T, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabia, United States, American, U.S, South Carolina, Iran, China, Saudi, Hong Kong, People’s Republic, Beijing

☆ The wildest demand Saudi Arabia made as part of its potential investment (takeover?) in the PGA Tour: get LIV Golf's Saudi boss a Masters green jacket
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Congress grilled the PGA about its bid to merge with LIV Golf and accept Saudi Arabian investment. As PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne put it, "There is simply an agreement to try to get to an agreement." LIV Golf would only play in the fall and not overlap with the heart of the PGA Tour season. What makes the demand even stranger is that the PGA Tour almost certainly does not have the power to grant this. After all, despite the initial fight between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, none of the defecting players were being withheld from competing in the majors.

Persons: LIV Golf, LIV, LIV Golfand, Jimmy Dunne, Woods, Rory McIlroy, Yasir Al, PIF, Donald Trump, Greg Norman, Chris Trotman, St Andrews, Andrews, Stephanie Asymkos, Augusta Organizations: Augusta National, PGA, Service, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, Investigations, Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, LIV, Aramco, Congress, Augusta National Golf, Getty, Augusta National Golf Cub, Golf, St, — Augusta National, Augusta, Uber, Microsoft, Boeing, Disney, English Premier League soccer, Newcastle United, Al, Wall Street Locations: Saudi, Wall, Silicon, Saudi Arabia, St

The PGA Tour on Tuesday defended its controversial deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league before senators, as scrutiny of the agreement intensifies. Representatives from LIV Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund wasn't present at the hearing because CEO Greg Norman is out of the country, according to a spokesperson. PGA Tour operating chief Ron Price and policy board independent director Jimmy Dunne testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee's subcomittee on investigations. Dunne and Price said they believed the PGA Tour would benefit the most from the proposed deal. The PGA Tour would manage competitions, and has said it is leading the negotiations to reach a finalized deal.

Persons: LIV, Greg Norman, Ron Price, Jimmy Dunne, Dunne, Price, Yasir Al, Rumayyan, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, It's, Blumenthal, Norman, Ron Johnson, Johnson, CNBC's Organizations: LIV Golf, LIV Tour, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, PGA Tour, Senate Homeland Security, Comcast, Paramount Global, Disney, Warner Bros, Capitol, PIF Locations: Saudi, American, Yemen

☆ Saudi adviser proposed giving Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy ownership of LIV Golf teams, documents show
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Prior to a truce between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf last month, an adviser to the Saudi Public Investment Fund proposed that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy could own LIV Golf teams and play in the Saudi-backed tour, according to a 276-page report released by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations on Tuesday. In an April 26 meeting, PCP Capital Partners, a Saudi PIF adviser, presented a slideshow to PGA Tour board member Jimmy Dunne and PGA Tour Policy Board Chairman Edward Herlihy entitled “The Best of Both Worlds.”The slideshow proposed that McIlroy and Woods would own LIV Golf teams and participate in at least 10 LIV Golf events, documents showed. A May 24 email also revealed PGA Tour officials intended to fire LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman after the merger. Norman has been an advocate for the rival Saudi tour and a fierce public critic of the PGA Tour. The framework agreement between the Saudis and the PGA Tour needs to be approved by the PGA Tour’s 10-member policy board.

Persons: LIV, Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jimmy Dunne, Edward Herlihy, McIlroy, Yasir Al, Greg Norman, Norman, Jay Monahan’s, PIF, Roger Devlin, Dunne, Delvin, Rumayyan, ” Devlin, Devlin, “, McIlroy “ Organizations: CNN, PGA, Saudi Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf, US, Capital Partners, Tour, Augusta National, International Golf Federation, Saudi, PGA Tour, LIV, Fund, Al Locations: Saudi, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Rumayyan

☆ Two PGA tour officials to testify to US Senate panel about merger with Saudi-backed LIV
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] May 25, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the Pro-Am tournament as part of the LIV Golf Washington D.C. 2023 event at Trump National Golf Club outside Washington DC. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File PhotoWASHINGTON, July 3 (Reuters) - Two PGA Tour officials have agreed to testify before a U.S. Senate panel next week about the tour's merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf, but LIV officials declined to appear, lawmakers said on Monday. The PGA Tour, DP World Tour and rival Saudi-backed LIV circuit, which had been involved in a bitter fight that split the sport, announced an agreement in early June to merge and form a unified commercial entity. The LIV Golf series is bankrolled by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIV). Blumenthal and Johnson said they had asked Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, and Yasir al-Rumayyan, governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund which backs LIV, to testify, but they had declined because of scheduling conflicts.

Persons: Patrick Reed, Geoff Burke, LIV Golf, LIV, Ron Price, Jimmy Dunne, Richard Blumenthal, Ron Johnson, Critics, Blumenthal, Johnson, Greg Norman, Yasir al, Norman, Diane Bartz, Jonathan Oatis, Leslie Adler Organizations: LIV Golf, Trump National Golf Club, Washington DC, USA, WASHINGTON, Senate, Saudi, PGA Tour, Investigations, Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, PGA, Saudi Public Investment Fund, Public Investment Fund, Thomson Locations: Washington, DC, USA, LIV Golf Washington, Saudi

☆ 2 top PGA officials will testify before Congress about the golf league's controversial merger with the Saudi-backed LIV tour
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two top PGA officials will testify before Congress about the association's controversial merger. Tour COO Rob Price is among the officials that will testify before a Senate subcommittee on July 11. "We look forward to appearing before the Senate Subcommittee to answer their questions about the framework agreement that keeps the PGA TOUR as the leader of professional golf's future and benefits our players, our fans, and our sport," PGA Tour spokesperson Joel Schuchmann said in a statement to Insider. Norman played an integral role in LIV golf, enduring public criticism for taking on the PGA and partnering with Al-Rumayyan. "In fact, prior to this agreement, PGA Tour was one of the loudest critics of LIV Golf's affiliation with Saudi Arabi."

Persons: Rob Price, Democratic Sen, Richard Blumenthal, —, LIV, Sen, Ron Johnson, Jimmy Dunne, Joel Schuchmann, Blumenthal, Johnson, bin Othman Al, Greg Norman, Norman, Chris Murphy, Jay Monahan, LIV Golf's, Tiger Woods, Woods Organizations: Democratic, Service, Capitol, Republican, PGA, Al, LIV, Saudi, Connecticut Democrat, Twitter Locations: Saudi, LIV, American, Connecticut, Saudi Arabi

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