Reactions were mixed Thursday after the rumored partnership between The CW network and the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour was officially confirmed The National Press Club is very clear on where it sits on the matter.
In a statement, the National Press Club shared its displeasure with Nexstar, the nation’s largest television ownership group, and majority owner of The CW.
“We are deeply disappointed that a company that makes money from news like Nexstar would agree to participate in such a shameful PR stunt as LIV Golf, which is fundamentally designed to rehabilitate the Saudi reputation, tarnished irreparably by the state-ordered gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018,” said National Press Club President Jen Judson to CNN’s Oliver Darcy. “We are left to wonder what, if anything, Nexstar stands for. You cannot have a brand in news and act this way.
“Saudi Arabia murdered a Washington Post journalist and cut him up with a bone saw. Riyadh wants to use golf to get Americans to forget about murder. We must not let them get away with it.”
Judson continued by saying “we call on Nexstar employees — many of whom are journalists — to demand management explain why they have partnered with the murderers of a journalist. We urge Nexstar to do the right thing and cancel their bloody golf show. And if they don’t drop the program here is what we can do: don’t watch it; and write each sponsor asking them not to sponsor.”
LIV Golf is scheduled to make its American television debut next month. The network will carry LIV’s competition at the Mayakoba Resort’s El Camaleón course in Mexico from February 24th-26th. The newly-struck television deal includes live coverage on The CW on weekends, with Friday event coverage streaming exclusively on The CW app and website.
Events held in 2022 by LIV Golf aired live on its website and YouTube after failing to find a suitor for its television rights. The organization attempted to strike deals with several different entities before being turned away. LIV Golf is financed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Critics have said the Saudi Arabian government is utilizing the fund and LIV Golf to “sportswash” its poor record on human rights.
