Just like a lot of sports leagues, NBA games are often restricted to the United States of America. However, the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism entered a ground-breaking multi-year partnership. This partnership led to the first NBA games to be hosted in the UAE. The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks were the first two teams to feature in a pre-season game. The game attracted fans from nearly 60 different nationalities.
This said, it is not all sunshine and rainbows, the fans are left angered after the partnership by the NBA. What is more infuriating for the regular folks is the controversy with Saudi Arabia-funded, LIV Golf tournament. Fans have taken to Twitter to vent out their frustrations with this move
Donald Trump says “Human Rights issues exist in the US too”, goes on to defend LIV Golf Tour from the SAUDI-BACKING controversy #SmartNews .
Trump is the leader of the human rights violators, he orders to terminate anyone who is not in his camp. https://t.co/5HK52oWpMs— Sea Skark (@Hotsummerspot) November 7, 2022
Then came this summer, and the controversy surrounding LIV Golf. The Saudi-backed tour held its first U.S. tournament at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey. That didn’t sit well with 9/11 families.https://t.co/bUpvetdPtv
— Tyson Milanovich (@TysonOnTV) August 12, 2022
Donald Trump just found a whole new way to sell out America for foreign cash https://t.co/WHkIFeRizE
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) July 31, 2022
Yet another great reason for me to boycott the LIV Tour!
Trump wades into golf’s civil war, further inflaming the biggest controversy in sports https://t.co/t6cHx14jZn
— Michael Frank (@YankeeMike015) July 28, 2022
Just watched @TuckerCarlson interview Greg Norman about LIV golf. Not one mention or comment about where the money is coming from and the controversy surrounding it. Nothing about the Saudi Govt and their role in 9/11, Khashoggi, etc. What a terrible effort Tucker. Shameful
— Brian Andrews (@BrianJAndrews) August 2, 2022
Sports media covers LIV golf like “the controversy surrounding the tour remains due to Saudi Arabia’s strong ties to 9/11, the gruesome murder of Jamal Khashoggi, & numerous other human rights violations…but let’s take a look at the highlights from today’s action!”
— Shelby (@ClassicShelb) July 29, 2022
@VaughnHillyard failed to mention the Saudi LIV golf tournament controversy. So close to 9/11, Fmr. President Trump seemed to care less about the concerns of family members.
America First… Good grief @VaughnHillyard pic.twitter.com/xHCoy5xjK9
— observe_ct (@CtObserve) July 26, 2022
9/11 survivors blast Saudi-backed golf tournament at Pumpkin Ridge: The controversy continues as play begins at the LIV Golf event in North Plains. https://t.co/B0rh6veakL
— Breaking PDX News (@breakingPDXnews) June 30, 2022
Saudi Arabia is trying to sportswash through Newcastle United
Abu Dhabi through Manchester City
Bahrain through Paris FC.
Whatever NBA team is first for this, it’s going to be controversial and morally questionable
— SB (@WindowsMeUser) December 1, 2022
This controversy involves former US President Donald Trump and the families of the 9/11 families. For context, Saudi Arabia is linked to the terror attack of 9/11. Families of the 9/11 victims have accused Saudi Arabia of sports washing their human rights violations.
Is NBA going to Saudi Arabia?
Middle East countries are fans of the NBA. The Milwaukee Bucks played the Atlanta Hawks in October in a pre-season game which attracted many fans as mentioned above. In today’s standard, the average price of a basketball franchise is around $2.5 billion USD.
The NBA will let sovereign wealth funds, pensions and endowments acquire passive stakes in its teams https://t.co/HRzEeKfrc2
— Bloomberg Markets (@markets) December 1, 2022
This has made it increasingly difficult to own a franchise, leaving it to the wealthiest to buy the teams. The NBA board of governors has voted for the move to bring in investments from the sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and endowments to acquire stakes in the teams. The buyers will be, however, subject to the league review and approval board.
Is Michael Jordan performing at the LIV golf event?
For the longest time, PGA Tour has been the premier golf league. LIV Golf continues to expand and is working towards becoming a powerhouse in golf. It has done a few things better than the other leagues but has a long way to go. For it to grow quickly, they have turned their eye towards none other than Michael Jordan. Jordan who has been the face of the NBA and popularized the sport around the globe is on the top of their list.
According to a New York Times report, LIV’s organizers originally considered recruiting Michael Jordan and Condoleezza Rice to its board.https://t.co/BmlRXJL9hm
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 12, 2022
The Charlotte Hornets’ current owner has not made any commitments regarding his involvement with the startup. “I didn’t know I was on the list, and I have never been approached. It would be a quick conversation,” said Jordan. The current board member of the PGA Tour was not aware if Jordan or any of the proposed persons were approached.
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