“I’m Disgusted with Him” - Rick Reilly Blasts Phil Mickelson for Joining LIV Tour | Rich Eisen Show

Author and award-winning golf writer Rick Reilly joins Rich Eisen in-studio where he blasts Phil Mickelson and other prominent golfers for joining the Saudi-backed LIV Tour.
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[@hanschia]

All of a sudden PGA becomes the defender of human rights! Never heard any of these PGA defenders criticize China or Saudi before LIV.

[@jeremyhealy3169]

Rick never criticized Nike guys for the sweat shops and atrocities in the countries they do business and have factories in.

[@nigelyeo7048]

You heard of false equivalency? Or is that word too hard for you ?

[@cayetano6547]

So that's your excuse? Lol...that's quite pathetic whataboutism

[@davidowens5898]

He's a sportswriter; not a sociology professor.

[@cayetano6547]

@@davidowens5898 Boom!!! It's a basic deflection my guy!!

[@Musicvidsetc]

You're correct. The morons like Reilly whining about LIV are complete hypocrites.

[@vdoggydogg3922]

It's funny they only bring up the Saudi connection to 9/11 when its linked to a golf league, but never anywhere else. Not saying they are wrong but be consistent.

[@nlabanok]

Who is "they"? The 9-11 surviving families and their lawyers bring it up every time the Saudis file for another court delay to avoid having any testimony regarding the safe flights they provided to the bin laden family and other potential witnesses and co-conspirators. Of course, the 9-11 families have to live with what these mf'ers did to their loved ones every single day of the rest of their lives and not "just when its linked to a golf league". "Be consistent"...FU.

[@prestonbacchus4204]

OK, even setting aside the human rights issues as you suggest, just the notion that any country can walk in the room with their national treasury to buy out world pro golf, something that no business in the world could compete with, let alone a not for profit golf tour organization, is simply not fair. The Saudis do not have a business interest, their interest is control. Who are these folks, who is Greg Norman to walk in and just claim ownership of pro golf?

[@palermotrapani9067]

Since 9/11, every US President has sold weapons to the Saudi's. Every one of them. Biden in November of last year sold approximately $700 Million worth

[@b4johnson894]

Agreed. Golf cry baby’s.

[@elijahnewcomb3034]

That's because generally speaking sports journalists are braver than standard political journos

[@rkid727]

I’ve never heard the media talk this harsh about Saudi Arabia. Who knew golf could get them to speak out?

[@WillyPDX94]

What we're seeing here is pure "cancel culture" rhetoric from a self-aggrandizing holier than thou hypocrite.

[@chrissinclair4442]

@@WillyPDX94 it's also geo politics. Some of it could be the military industrial complex hold over media.

[@kennethmichael1586]

@@chrissinclair4442 😂😂😂😂

[@kennethmichael1586]

@@chrissinclair4442 Industrial complex If you don’t get these conspiracies outta here lmao

[@WillyPDX94]

Nowadays seems some people never miss a chance to virtue-signal how righteous they are.

[@pedro426]

Golfers working with Saudis is bad but the NBA and lebron working with china is good? God I love sports media😂

[@keithkelly50]

The hypocrisy is so thick haha

[@kkman4053]

Is Lebron leaving the NBA to play in China? Good comparison lol

[@pedro426]

@@kkman4053 no but he works with china all the time cough cough space jam

[@Jay_from_FLA]

Half of this clowns wardrobe was sewn in a Chinese sweatshop, GTFO

[@samuelsison]

Aramco saudi owned sponsors LPGA events and so Fedex saudi

[@tahoemike5828]

Nobody even notices anymore when NFL, MLB, NBA, or NHL owners, and their puppet commissioners, drop the pretenses from time to time and remind us that money, power and absolute iron fisted control always win the day, every time and in every case. Golf doesn't have "Owners" in the same way, but they sure are behaving like they do.

[@gabrielborboa7872]

Desauam Watson stuff worst

[@carlbaumeister3439]

Excellent, biting comment.

[@garycovington3990]

Yeah, I’m not sure where the line is but supporting the Saudi government might be it? I get that everyone only cares about the money but this seems especially selfish and immoral.

[@duanesalstrand799]

@@garycovington3990 Whining about this incessantly by the likes of Eisen is just something to legitimize his existence. Eisen especially has whined about the "morality" of LIV. Shut up! Unless you report that the Saudis are one of if not the major supported of thee LPGA just stop attacking pros who are opting for LIV. The PGA has many sponsors (corporations) that have ties to the Saudi's. Sounds like a lot of jealously and hypocrisy. Competition is a good thing and to constantly whine about it's all about money is tiresome. Really? Do you know how stupid that sounds? Like the PGA isn't about the money! Shut up! And Phil can do what he wants to earn money for himself and he doesn't need Rick Reilly's approval. Does he tell you how to live yoiur life? No, so just shut up.

[@pkpnyt4711]

@@garycovington3990 The NBA owners have over $10 billion dollars of business in China. You're saying China is more okay than Saudi? If you have an iPhone (made in China) you're supporting China. What's worse?

[@ernieblanchard8879]

So according to Reilly, the Golf Hall of Fame should have nothing to do with what kind of golfer one is, it’s all about politics. That makes the Hall of Fame a sham

[@justjoshin44]

He said "people want that"

[@williambyham3674]

Just like The Rock 'n Roll ............................................

[@erikstewart9068]

By all golf rules they are an exhibition, not tournament. How does one qualify without world ranking points or by not meeting standard across golf community?

[@GasCityGuy]

Just curious if he is equally upset with the NBA playing in the UAE this fall?

[@ek.74.914]

UAE is not SA or even close

[@jacktuttle3293]

NBA takes money from China ***crickets** PGA players take money from Saudi Arabia absolute outrage. This is politically motivated.

[@thomasmalatesta7331]

YES !!!

[@lanemp8499]

Everyone takes money from China, not just the NBA. Call them all out.

[@MDK2_Radio]

It’s funny because you mean LIV but people are liking your comment anyway. Talk about American human rights violations though and everyone clams up.

[@billyyank5807]

@@MDK2_Radio it's funny you think there's a separation between LIV and the Saudis...

[@DrPhill96]

Y’all complained about China and the NBA, there were no crickets. And, I’m sure a lot of items you own or use are “Made in China”, so don’t act as if the NBA is only entity benefiting from Chinese labor.

[@ORagnar]

The indifference to China is interesting. The NBA is in deep with them. Doing business with the Saudis is a mistake, but it feels like they are only criticizing golfers as if this is a special case. 6/15/22, 5:33 pm

[@warrenash5370]

While our "President" (cough, cough) goes hat in hand and begs for oil from those same people instead of getting it from the U.S. (I think I threw up in my mouth when I said "our President, GAG!)

[@sayhey5323]

China's involved with sportwashing?

[@TDC5]

are you cataloging all the nuggets of wisdom you drop in yt comments? is that the reason you feel the need to add a date and time stamp?

[@darinvee4980]

@@sayhey5323 The PGA organized a Chinese golf tour as a new feeder to the PGA America. If you don't think that requires approval of the Chinese government you're off your meds.

[@finalfrontier001]

@@sayhey5323 Ask Rotay about child concentration camps in China.

[@eddiesanchez551]

“So dense light bends around him” has to be my favorite insult now

[@thomasdonlin5456]

I was thinking the same thing. 🤣🤣

[@WillyPDX94]

It's a great insult, I agree. But I think it might be more appropriately applied to the self-righteous Rick Reilly who is happy to fill his car with gasoline refined from Saudi Arabian crude while lambasting athletes pursuing their profession. Seems hypocritical to me.

[@mark41157]

@@WillyPDX94 Just about everyone would be a hypocrite in your world. You're using a sedge hammer to pound a finishing nail. Yes, by your definition of "hypocrite" 95% of Americans are "hypocrites" but this isn't close to the same thing.

[@WillyPDX94]

@@mark41157 You sound a little defensive. Maybe you're one of the 95% that feels they're entitled to criticize others for the same things you're doing. And you've got it backward in your sledge hammer vs finishing nail analogy. If Americans would pay another one or two dollars per gallon of gas, we could simply stop taking oil from Saudi Arabia, but few people would be willing to do that. But you're asking Mickelson to turn down an opportunity to make millions of dollars in his chosen profession because he shouldn't benefit from something Saudi Arabia is providing. Our country, our businesses, and all our citizens benefit from our willingness to hold our noses and do business with countries that do terrible things. Got any Chinese products in your house? I'm not saying we're wrong for dealing with bad countries, it's just a reality of the global economy. But we can't take the benefits of those dealings in our lives and then criticize someone like Mickelson. If you can't see the hypocrisy in that, you're hopeless.

[@MDK2_Radio]

@@WillyPDX94 btw, should you accuse others of being defensive when you’re carrying water for the Saudis? Why don’t you want to address the central topic here?

[@whatmane]

I'd never take financial advice from someone telling me to turn down a guaranteed 100 million. Hell, the Saudis are the U.S.'s largest arms buyer & 3rd largest oil supplier. Since when are golfers politicians?

[@BassWithMurf]

When journalists want them to be

[@mpls1982]

If you have zero morals, take the money I guess.

[@whatmane]

@@mpls1982 Yet you're driving around in your car that is most likely using Saudi oil. Your everyday products are made in China.

[@misterwallace3479]

@@mpls1982 I have morals. And I'd take 100 million to play.

[@garlandalmarode6396]

The US govt and corporations are intertwined with the Saudis. The US has worked with them closely for a long time. This is about US corporations not liking what they are doing.

[@HowieCarson]

Let’s not talk about the fact we in the US have supplied them with billions of dollars worth of weapons but these guys are taking some money to play golf. Ok

[@sudano9958]

That's a real bad attempt at moral equivalency. If someone does something questionable, I can do something worse.

[@janga75]

I think that says more about the us electorate than the govt.

[@ivanboesky1520]

@Sudano This PGA knee scraper is only talking partial selective truth, not close to complete picture truth. He and the PGA are exponential level hypocrites along with their band of knee scraping apologists and their players. 23 PGA sponsors did no less than $40+ billion in business last year with the same 911/Saudi regime they claim is dirty money when LIV and LIV players accept it, but by magic becomes good clean moral sponsorship money when it goes into the PGA and PGA player coffers. What a load of pure hypocrisy! Now just this past week the “competitive” PGA has added 8 new NO CUT events to their 2023 schedule essentially copying almost exactly current LIV formats that they previously claimed were mere exhibitions and not real competition. These PGA puppet knee scrapers are a hoot! LOL

[@HTHAMMACK1]

What does that have to do with a damn thing? The US government is not funding the PGA and writing massive checks to PGA golfers to whitewash their image. Are you really that dense?

[@nolanager9448]

@@sudano9958 do something worse? Lol like what play golf

[@robdeezzy]

Meanwhile the US government currently has military troops stationed in Saudi Arabia. I wonder if he’s going to keep that same energy when he finds out?

[@Zz-lp8yr]

Sure, two bad dont make one good, it is humans here making decisions not some more abstract thing where people can divide the blame

[@johnnycards1987]

We also still have them in Iraq. But no one cares

[@twesd308]

Exactly, the US government still conducts business with the Saudis when it suits them. Golf…out of all the sports, with its elitism and extensive history of racism & sexism, now wants to play the morality police. Gtfo, this is ridiculous, someone tell me what I’m missing here

[@darinvee4980]

@@Zz-lp8yr What's abstract about the United States selling military arms to the Saudis? Biden is heading there next week to ask, no plead that they pump more oil. Since you like cute kindergarten sayings here's one, "what's good for the goose, is good for the gander".

[@BML2025]

What’s your point...

[@kurakuson]

Well....is the US and world stop importing oil from Saudi Arabia too? Saudi Arabia, the largest OPEC petroleum exporter to the United States, was the source of 5% of U.S. total petroleum imports and 6% of U.S. crude oil imports. Saudi Arabia is also the largest source of U.S. petroleum imports from Persian Gulf countries.

[@rileyhaley3848]

@@garywest2250 5% is still billions if not trillions of dollars....

[@Gnofg]

@@rileyhaley3848 and why is that relevant. What Saudi Arabia does in limiting it's crude is how it affects world oil prices. We as citizens have almost no input into our energy policy.

[@petegalindez9961]

@@garywest2250 We get the overwhelming amount of our oil from Canada…

[@billyyank5807]

5 or 6%? Pretty low numbers lol. The u.s. actually produces more oil than the Saudis.

[@twodogs5395]

We were crude independent under Donald Trump's presidency.

[@jamesanthony5681]

It's easy, real easy to criticize golfers for taking that Saudi money. Where's the outrage from Reilly, Eisen and others against the US Gov't that does billions of dollars ($25 billion approx. in 2021) in business (imports/exports) with the Saudis? Crickets. Rhode Scholar Rick says he wouldn't take $1 billion from the Saudis? Of course it's easy for him to say that. Nobody is offering him anything.

[@ericdane9258]

Not to mention how much Saudi money is invested in major US companies and nobody says anything about that. Crazy

[@NicholasDeCola]

Well put sir

[@peterwalker7051]

Well said sir

[@adammartin180]

​@@ericdane9258 especially PGA sponsors like Citigroup

[@TrumpEatsPutz]

You REALLY don't see the difference there Trumpf*cker?? 100% of the radical right are morons.

[@budbowl77]

I’d like to ask Rick here, do you own a pair of Nike sneakers? Do you own an iPhone? Do you put gas in your car? Please stop pretending to be holier than thou art. Stop man.

[@NicholasDeCola]

As golf fans we need to investigate these media scum bags Air their dirty laundry

[@Sledgeh101]

Give me a billion dollars, I wouldn't do it. Yeah, right.

[@baronvg]

Reilly is so full of himself and he’s been that way for decades. He brings up gays being killed more than once but he also doesn’t hesitate to talk about “bums”.

[@HTHAMMACK1]

This is a ridiculous statement.

[@hanifibrahim460]

Why would the majors bend the knee to the PGA??? They are the real heart and soul of the Game, not the corporate tourneys the PGA sets up.

[@lordrayden3045]

The majors should add this LIV champ to the invitee list

[@hanifibrahim460]

@@lordrayden3045 not sure about that, as I'm not for or against the LIV Tour, so it remains to be seen what it amounts to, but I just hope the Majors don't bend to the pressure from the PGA.

[@scottstewart316]

"Bend the knee"? Sounds like someone got too absorbed in a tv show.

[@andrehardy4721]

So bending you to the Saudis what are you saying

[@johnb2905]

@@lordrayden3045 NEVER.... A champ of 8 tournaments ? That's a joke statement bro .Go back to UK lord.

[@Meowhsss]

Nobody cared for 75 years while we fill our cars with Saudi oil. But now everyone is worried about the Saudis owning a golf league. Oh give me a break, the PGA is going overboard with their PR team to bash LIV.

[@okolekahuna3862]

My question is, why NOW complain about a rival league, when you always had the European tour, the Australian tour, the Asian tour etc.. Aren't they considered rival golf leagues?

[@dfrancer]

Love Reilly…but not as much as he loves himself.

[@CorePathway]

He’s just jealous. WHAT LIVING MORTAL walks away from TWO HUNDRED MILLION?!?

[@lpseudonyml]

Thanks man.

[@MDK2_Radio]

@@CorePathway one with integrity. They offered Tiger a lot more but he said “no.”

[@CorePathway]

@@MDK2_Radio Well I’ll give you Tiger, now name me ANOTHER LIVING MORTAL…🤣

[@geraldpulido5540]

@@MDK2_Radio so were supposed to act like nike aint blood money there no moral high ground big business

[@hydr01960]

Reilly just showed how ignorant he is regarding where money comes from in professional sports

[@gheller2261]

Finish your thought.

[@sudano9958]

From rich guys who kill and imprison people! Wait what. Nevermind.

[@hydr01960]

@@gheller2261 every major sport is funded by alcohol which kills tens of thousands of American every year and gets women beat up at alarming rates. No NBA exec will say a bad thing about China because of all the money they give the NBA. China makes Saudi look like a bunch of feminists. The PGA tour is sponsored by Morgan Stanley, one of the main architects of the 2008 housing market crash that skyrocketed homelessness and suicides and destroyed lives and retirements. You simply cannot be a professional athlete without taking money that comes from some kind of evil. Honestly you can’t really be a citizen without taking money or giving money to some kind of evil. Everyone wants to destroy the morals of others though while touring their own(Rick Reilly.)

[@Jordy40Growing]

So mad at Phil but no says anything about NBA doing business in China and censoring players or coaches that speak out about chinas treatment of their people.

[@linjicakonikon7666]

AMEN

[@linkbelt111]

Reilly is such a hypocrite, almost all of the PGA Tour sponsors work with/in Saudi Arabia. Such a tool…

[@jh58]

Bingo

[@peterguiles5730]

Why is Phil the poster boy for all this? Norman is the LIV commissioner, 23 companies that partner with the PGA do business with Saudia Arabia, the U.S. government's number one arms buyer is Saudia Arabia, so why is Phil getting all the heat?

[@Jordy40Growing]

@@peterguiles5730 exactly

[@marcanderson1396]

I have never seen a more clear example of how the PGA has valued it’s traditions and institution over all else and would rather protect those things than take care of those that make them money. No outrage over the Saudis until it cost them the stars people want to see.

[@davidowens5898]

i have no love for the PGA and those who control it, but the golf pros themselves? Have they mortgaged their spines?

[@SOLDOZER]

Phil left his shitty job for better pay and better benefits. Smart man!

[@darinvee4980]

I would have done the same in a heartbeat.

[@MrHubadub]

If that was a shitty job then you must be living in a different world than me. He got to play golf and was a worth 10's, if not 100s of millions, of dollars at some point. Thats far from shitty. What was shitty was his gambling addiction.

[@MDK2_Radio]

He’s going to blow all this money too. He’s desperate, not smart.

[@Alex-zj9lf]

There is more to life than money paper

[@SOLDOZER]

@@Alex-zj9lf Easy for you to say. Nobody offered you anything.

[@TheJudgementofDog]

The PGA certainly has all of their dogs out running around barking at the walls. It really just makes them look like they're a bunch of angry little kids.

[@johnserrano8683]

Exactly!

[@carlbaumeister3439]

It reminds me of how the old NFL reacted to the upstart AFL. Eventually, the had to somewhat-accept them, and when the AFL won Super Bowls III & IV, they merged with them. Same with the NBA/ABA. Eventually, they’ll play nice with each other and work together.

[@TheJudgementofDog]

@@carlbaumeister3439 That's the most likely scenario.

[@PeterMcCluskey]

It's acceptable to sell weapons to Saudi Arabia but deplorable to play golf using Saudi money. Hypocrisy

[@kuraee]

When did you see them support the sale of weapons?

[@Gnofg]

This is always a stupid argument. We as citizens have hardly any control over global energy or defense policy. can you tell me the last time you participated in the electoral process more than just voting?

[@rattybb3694]

@@Gnofg Why is ok for US companies Uber,Facebook,Boeing,Starbuck,Disney allow and accept investment money in there Companies from the Saudi's ? None of them are short of dollar. But the golfer cant because he has a choice , but the companies dont. Cmon man the hypocrisy is a joke

[@darinvee4980]

@@Gnofg What is stupid is trying to qualify what's good interaction with Saudi Arabia and what's bad interaction. Phil, DJ and the others are suppose to step back while US corporations and the US government work directly with the Saudi Royal Family? At least they have Norman as the middle man.

[@joshuaort201]

What he’s doing?? He was nearing the end of his PGA career. Dude got paid. What’s wrong w that?? And if we’re gonna cry about the Saudi government? We buy their oil. What’s that say about us??? Grow up.

[@WillyPDX94]

Thank you for telling it like it is.

[@SOLDOZER]

PGA Tour has Race To Dubai. They take money from the UAE which is built with slave labor from India and Pakistan. If the PGA Tour gave one squirt about "human rights" the last people they should be taking money from is the UAE.

[@ChiTownOriginator]

@@SOLDOZER not to mention all the course owners and PGA sponsors more than likely having connections with Saudi Arabia or China.

[@darinvee4980]

And they are the largest buyers of our military weapons. The United States government can accept their "blood money", but not golfers?

[@SOLDOZER]

@@darinvee4980 Yes, can take their oil and sell them fighter jets. No problem. Just dont play golf for them!

[@lordrayden3045]

The PGA is mad that this league is paying everyone…… They don’t want to pay everyone thst shows up

[@MDK2_Radio]

@Ynnad Zelaznog it’s not BS. The PGA does far more than host a tour of top golf. Those pros that help you improve your swing and putting wouldn’t be around under a different model. There’s more to the PGA than the tour.

[@christianhowell6121]

@@MDK2_Radio doesn’t change the fact that they’re not handing out guaranteed contracts like LIV. The masters left the door open for them to return, the PGA closed the door.

[@JJJJ-dc3np]

The PGA Tour would never sully themselves with money. They just happened to name their playoff trophy the FEDEX Cup! What a bunch of hilarious a holes.

[@clintonsmith5163]

Golfers were already getting paid too much for playing a fucking game. Now they are going to be making even more money. Dumb.

[@TheTruthiest]

Where is the competition if you just pay them stupid money to show up regardless of how they perform?

[@coreyf1204]

As soon as Rick Reilly referred to a homeless person as "a bum" (twice), I lost all interest in what he thinks of Phil Mickelson (or anyone for that matter).

[@WaitAMinute1989]

Yet if Tiger were to do that, I'm sure Rick would've said something to the fact of "here you go, an athlete that throws away his money at bums", like Mike Tyson did.

[@SonofAGunFrom410]

Its not that big a deal

[@MDK2_Radio]

Being wrong about one thing doesn’t make him wrong about everything.

[@seabasssimpson4547]

But Phil taking hundreds of millions of dollars from the people that financed 9-11 doesn't make you think differently of him. LOL

[@JuanTyme]

Ehhh…most homeless are bums. Very few are honest people down in their luck. They are addicts, degenerates, or mentally unstable. It’s not hard to keep a job, house, and car in America if you’re willing to stay off of drugs and work hard.

[@mikes7707]

He lost me at calling another human being a “bum”. Who’s out of touch? Rick Reilly.

[@kevinjames3958]

That's what they're called jackals Oh I'm sorry, donkey butt.

[@toddwilliams4493]

I think he was talking about Bret Favre

[@johnos4892]

Is he disgusted when reporters leave one network for another to get a big pay increase? Isn't competition a good thing?

[@nixn6412]

Bruh, it’s all dirty money lol. Love the holier than thou act. Fox, CNN, ABC, all of them. But we love to point the finger at the Saudi’s. I swear these cats lol. Get ya money Phil

[@TDC5]

well sure cause tv networks and national governments are such comparable entities. it's all the same, right? lol

[@nixn6412]

@@TDC5 Educate ya self my brother

[@laneycarter5328]

Yes get the money and leave the pga alone . We don't need you

[@WillyPDX94]

That's the truth!

[@NicholasDeCola]

The 911 angle from them is sick .. 911 was a inside job everybody knows it feels it

[@bigfresh86]

I’m so sick of this Selective “Outrade”!!! Rick Reilly is sitting in a country who OPENLY does business with Saudi Arabia. Well wearing close made most likely overseas by people working for slave wages. Gimme break. Why are we holding athletes and entertainers to a higher standard than elected officials? Be mad and vocal about everything or just shut up!

[@adammartin180]

for real. Saudi dollars touch almost everyone one of the PGA sponsors, but are we going to hear them call for the PGA to cut ties with companies like Citigroup? so stupid

[@bigfresh86]

@@adammartin180EXACTLY!!!

[@jamesanthony5681]

Bingo!!

[@jasonbrandt4299]

"He's so dense, light bends around him..." 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mikebrown6250]

After scrolling a bit and reading the comments. I’m generally proud of the intelligence everyone is using to express the hypocritical behavior of the sports media. They’ve never had an issue when golfers play the Dubai classic or over in China, taking big money or sponsorships. America is the biggest producer of oil and also the biggest importer. We get the oil from all over the world. They can’t say the LIV is bad while making them rich by buying their oil as well. Bravo to the community for making valid talking points that they ignore

[@mpls1982]

China isn't a state sponsor of terror, and no one is taking money directly from the Chinese government. Terrible whataboutism.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Ties to terrorist ever come up in your deliberations?

[@NPAMike]

Sooo Rick Reilly is mad at Phil from getting a check from the Saudis but he's okay with all the other tours when they get their checks from the middle east and china.

[@jjanderson12001]

Just like Cowherd said, those who act higher than others just haven’t been offered the money just as Rick admitted. What a joke

[@howardpringle9346]

"In Denver, though, they were incensed. While the regular PGA event that week - the Denver Open Invitational at Denver Country Club - offered a first prize of $4600, the World Series of Golf blew Denver out of the water with a first prize of $50,000. Even the Masters - with the most generous winner’s cheque among the four majors - could offer only $20,000. Noble Chalfant, organizer of the Denver Open, was naturally demoralized that his event was deprived of the three biggest names in golf. He threatened legal action against the PGA of America and derided the controversial World Series of Golf as “an exhibition and not a legitimate tournament”. (Kingdom magazine - Spring 2022) This was 1962 and the three golfers involved were Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. I wonder, did they tarnish their legacy?

[@edwardshaw1743]

It's really easy for people to have the moral high ground and say that they wouldn't take the money when they aren't being offered $200 million just to show up. It's an absurd amount of money, and I doubt most people don't turn it down.

[@MrSurazal]

An average person, who is struggling paycheck-to-paycheck, most would take it. They are tired of working 3 jobs and then deciding which bill to pay this month. Many of these golfers are already millionaires, and will probably make millions more. They can afford to do the right thing. I imagine that you're one of the rightwing "don't give a crap about people getting killed" people that Reilly talked about it. It's true, rightwingers don't care if kids get murdered in schools, and don't care if a reporter gets cut into little pieces by Saudi Arabia. It's another dividing line in America.

[@berniebond]

If it destroys your legacy and standing AND YOU ALREADY MADE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS LIKE PHIL, you have to turn it down. And not just quietly, too.

[@TheYorkshiregolfbandit]

If it was at the beginning of my career then defo!!! who wouldn’t!!! But If I’d won majors, made millions and had a brilliant career like he has then why? he made a comment in one interview saying that it was to keep his lifestyle he has Wtf!!! he should be set for life with what he’s got in the bank!

[@ivanboesky1520]

“It destroys his legacy”? LOL The only people his legacy will be destroyed with are disingenuous, gullible, and ignorant PGA knee scrapers, who pretend the millions of sponsorship dollars that come into that tour every year that originated with the very same 911/Saudi regime is somehow clean money. 23 PGA sponsors did over $40 billion in biz with that same “evil” money Saudi/911 regime last year alone. Then you add in the millions of $ more of PGA sponsorship money that comes from manufacturers who fabricate 100% of their products in far eastern slave labor condition factory sweatshops like Nike, Under Armour, etc…. Pure blood money that the PGA and its clown apologists like this idiot have conveniently ignored for several decades.

[@TXBrnRaisd]

I thought legacies were defined by wins and losses. Legacies can be tarnished by criminal behavior. No developed country has an unblemished record!

[@lordrayden3045]

This guy seems mad he didn’t get a check

[@jh58]

LOL

[@samuelsison]

Rick is jealous because he can't play golf but he can play his bum mouth

[@tider77]

So let me get this straight....so Phil Mickelson and other golfers are forbidden and even suspended for playing in their golf tour but it's ok for Biden to buy oil from them? And who is Rick Reilly?

[@grizzle645]

Biden doesn’t do the buying

[@tider77]

@@grizzle645 Biden's bad policies are the reason we are begging Saudi Arabia to produce more oil so we can buy it from them instead of using American oil.

[@grizzle645]

@@tider77 so he doesn’t buy the oil…

[@grizzle645]

@@tider77 I think the war and gas companies like bp and chevron have something to do with it

[@tider77]

@@grizzle645 our government buys the oil and unfortunately he's the head of our government.....so...

[@marietaylor5174]

Leave Phil alone for goodness sake.

[@busterloewe]

It’s painful to listen to these guys talk about tradition and how players are breaking tradition of the PGA Tour. The tradition resides with the British Open, the US Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters. The PGA Tour does not own, operate or have any say about these major tournaments. If Mickelson was asked or told not to participate in the Masters it wasn’t the PGA Tour telling him not to attend. The PGA Tour was created in 1968 for the sole purpose of professionalizing (paying players more money) golf. The only tradition the PGA Tour can claim is making money. THE non-profit status of the PGA Tour, while legal, is criminal. The CEO/commissioner of a charitable organization making $8,000,000 per year should bother anyone that contributes to that organization. The PGA Tour gives $50,000,000 to charity. $7 to $8 million of that goes to the Tiger Woods Foundation and Tiger’s Tournament. Millions go to the Workd golf hall of fame which is affiliated with the PGA TOUR. Same with the first tee. I’m not a fan of the LIV TOUR, but can’t side with an organization that is disingenuous at best.

[@fordjubilee]

Everybody has a number. Reilly can sit there and say I wouldn't take a billion dollars. He can say that because no one is going to offer him a billion. Eisen at least says I would think about it. You damn right you would. Don't see anyone ostracizing Lebron. CHINA connection.

[@gregshoopman6369]

If Rick Reilly thinks he wouldn’t take 100mil he’s a hypocrite as well

[@mr.poppins3510]

How dare Phil do what he wants to do in life.

[@surfwriter8461]

Classic amoral stupidity. Get a clue.

[@markdraine3571]

Oh, Rick is just a little beta male , who would dance for a dime, in order to further the whole leftist agenda . Woke and a hack .

[@ryanwalker9842]

Seriously. This Rick Reilly guy needs to get off his moral high horse

[@clintonsmith5163]

Phil can do what he wants to do with his life, but he can also be called out for his hypocrisy and for making dumb statements (e.g., the PGA tour is "worse" than the Saudis.)

[@michaelhoffman5486]

toobadhecouldntplayforhitler right??????????????????

[@raytsai8532]

I am still confused what they are against with ? Money from Saudi or the way LIV 48 guys play with 3 days no cuts. When they said they are playing with the best player in the world, but who just got the last PGA Champ? ! Not the player from PGA tour as I recall. Best player in the world😂

[@CJ-qg6ur]

Sure crucify the athletes while BIG businesses BEEN doing it for years!

[@Flingoh]

We sell weapons and chemicals to Saudis but we draw the line at a golf league... Wake up

[@camran9]

Sorry Rick Reilly lost all credibility in the middle of the conversation name calling the certain players intellect. When you divert from the topic and default shaming others you immediately take away from message and lose the people you were making the argument about. Rick is smarter then this and it’s a shame that’s where he took it.

[@havenjm]

If you know anything about that player, Rick Reilly is just stating fact.

[@nehemiahhall5212]

Who cares?????, America’s violates the human rights of black peoples but let us cry about Saudi Arabia

[@andrewpierce1588]

Our entire society has become ruled by the morality of one thing…money. Nothing else seems to matter. The false idol has taken over our society, our politics, and our morals.

[@AJFar-tm7dn]

Give me the pre-21 Century America. Morality and Social Conscience.

[@lflint3278]

Exactly. And the people who live by that cannot understand people who are motivated by anything else.

[@NicholasDeCola]

Indeed 🙏😔

[@marinogod84]

Americans calling another country out for its crimes against humanity🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@randallguzik3764]

The PGA took money from the same people who are backing LIV… as another person posted…The USGA admitted this today…and why is only Phil getting destroyed? My god it’s like Riley and Chamblee are a fricking hit squad at Phil and Phil alone. Are they and the PGA and DP World Tour going to man up and admit “Yes we have allowed players to play many Arab events and in China with human rights violations”. No they are going to crucify Phil…and Phil alone. Riley and Chamblee are asses and hypocritical..sad.

[@marquesmurray]

How is Saudi Arabia different from America? The mental gymnastics is astounding

[@janga75]

Talk to someone who has lived in SA they'll tell you the difference

[@AM-hk3uw]

Rick, you lose the argument when you play the man and not the issue. You may not like DJ, but he doesn't disrespect you. The PGA gave permission to players this yr (2022) to play in SA via the Asian tour - is that not hypocritical. Gary Player is a big supporter of golf SA, Jack Nicklaus is designing a course in SA. GM and Ford sell lots of cars to SA - why don't you go after these Coys and the people who support them. People in glass houses should not be throwing stones at other people and nations.

[@wilko3017]

I missed the video where this guy complains about the US selling weapons to the Saudis and helping them commit genocide in Yemen.

[@James.rivers]

Lol I love when these media heads spout about human rights and gay rights but would never, ever dare talk about China. Save it, Rick...

[@terrancehall9762]

Or America. They don't complain about any of the racist history of the PGA.

[@markhansen8039]

Does China have a golf league too???

[@James.rivers]

@@markhansen8039 Rick doesn’t just write about golf, Mark. China had plenty of leagues in many sports where Americans go and play for a good salary. He hasn’t mentioned those athletes… why? I’ll give you a hint, China owns our media…

[@Hawkeye517]

Rick Who? Rick is gone & forgotten. And no one is missing him.

[@JohnDoe-sw9zq]

The disingenuous shills out there stumping for the PGA is hilarious.

[@ivanboesky1520]

Exactly. 23 PGA sponsors did no less than $40+ billion in business last year with the same 911/Saudi regime they claim is dirty money when LIV and LIV players accept it, but good clean sponsorship money when it goes into the PGA and PGA player coffers. Now just this past week the “competitive” PGA has added 8 new NO CUT events to their 2023 schedule essentially copying almost exactly current LIV formats that they previously claimed were mere exhibitions and not real competition. These PGA puppet knee scrapers are a hoot! LOL

[@HTHAMMACK1]

The only disingenuous ones are the people who are defending a blood money tour so the Saudi Prince can try and whitewash his image.

[@JohnDoe-sw9zq]

@@HTHAMMACK1 I got news for you champ. The PGA takes in millions of dollars from Saudi.

[@Meowhsss]

THIS

[@ek.74.914]

only because that's the hand that feeds them LOL

[@alexandercohen433]

THIS AGED WELL

[@CarlosMartinez-pn2mx]

Get your money Phil! If the US Government can do billion dollar arms deals with the Saudis and not get as much backlash, then you shouldn’t worry.

[@darinvee4980]

I haven't heard one of these sports media "experts" mention anything about our governments close ties to Saudi Arabia. Wonder why?

[@kellydeveau9319]

And he failed to add all the money all other sports and golf get from SAUDI !!!!

[@ghazali22]

He said “of course this has nothing to do with right wing politics”… really? Saudi support has not been a consistent agenda of right wing politics? These guys are out of their league when talking about geo politics.

[@adammartin180]

Saudi support is a bipartisan thing here in the US because of the oil lolololol

[@darrinlygrisse5287]

How about China? They put SA to shame in terms of human rights.

[@ugaais]

I’ll be impressed when people take this stand with the NBA and it’s ties to China…..

[@candler98]

The PGA has 23 sponsors that are associated with Saudi Arabia. You are ok with that

[@lukeowneslol]

Take a step back and look at your own government before you point fingers and judge.

[@simondaughtry4619]

Disgust is cheap.... everyone is a judge. Worry about yourself...help others when possible.

[@triandfit1]

The thing that cracks me up is that the sports media rails against the LIV tour, yet they cover the tournaments.

[@bakerman10]

Your comments makes me think you consider "sports media" as an entity. As in, as one does, so does all. It's sort of nonsensical.

[@MDK2_Radio]

@@bakerman10 par for the course with “media critics.” Most can’t tell the difference between reporting and editorializing and worse, what’s truly hypocritical, is that they get everything from media outlets themselves.

[@triandfit1]

@@bakerman10 See my reply below.

[@Meowhsss]

Phil got $200 million, so long PGA. Money talks BS walks. It’s BUSINESS.

[@allanh2687]

I know it's a shock (especially to Rick) but nobody really cares what he thinks!!

[@williambyham3674]

!

[@tedurquhart]

Rick Reilly? Who is that? Opinions are like a-holes, everybody's got one. How does some guy who's never accomplished a single thing of importance in his life come to believe he can critique golf legends? Crawl back under that rock...

[@billjenkins2503]

Wow Reilly has no problems using Saudi gas or fuel for his car or home.

[@SOLDOZER]

Like the people who pretend the meat at the market "just appears".

[@itk.r8rsn8k15]

Hypocrites

[@Redwingedlion13]

Rick you sound triggered.. maybe Golf should pay your players!

[@andrewpierce1588]

The average is just under $1.5 million from the tour alone…doesn’t include sponsorships. Makes them some of the highest paid people in the world…to play golf.

[@JayMunna55]

@@andrewpierce1588 when's the last time you took a look at the NBA contracts?

[@MDK2_Radio]

@@JayMunna55 or MLB contracts.

[@DL-my5ot]

he does what he wants - he's earned it. leave the man alone and sort your own lives out

[@organicmagic8822]

Yes!!! We are FREE to support Saudi Arabia!!! I don't think it matters that they were involved in 9/11. Who cares anymore

[@mdell4959]

I'd take the money and then give a couple million to Reily's favorite charity, maybe then it would be ok

[@jimlindsay9758]

Phil's legacy will be fine. You're just angry LIV is competing with the PGA. The PGA has been bullies for years.

[@michaelb3927]

Wow Rick really went at DJ , wasn't expecting that one lol knew he was hot about this topic, but man he had all live rounds today!

[@harpoon_bakery162]

he was not firing caps

[@mhr5586]

Liv will eventually pick off enough top tier players to bring PGA to their knees. Just a matter of time.

[@jwstorey173]

The masters asked Phil to stay away this year so they could ask them again to stay away. They don’t want the distraction from the Masters

[@laneycarter5328]

Good

[@psharp66]

The Masters will want Phil, Dustin and DeChambeau next year. You are dead wrong.

[@kirk8429]

So now who's disgusting?

[@StoopKid452]

The Masters are okay with hosting Saudi apologists? I'm shocked. Absolutely shocked.

[@clarenceflood1529]

I can smell this guy a mile away

[@SC-lo5ez]

It makes pretty good sense though: someone as generous as reported like Phil is in need of money. Being generous does not help thick wallets. And by the way, such childish assertion such as “I will refuse to take a billion dollars from them” 🙄 tends to legitimate Phil’s and other players’ attraction to LIV. So please be wiser: if the PGA is any attractive for many reasons including better values, the public and the players will stick to it. Leave the LIV live and let it die !

[@seabasssimpson4547]

he's also very generous with his bookies.

[@buffalobraves9]

Hey Rick, ever buy a Japanese product? Sony, Samsung, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Panasonic, Nikon, NEC, etc???? Yes? Then you’re a hypocrite.

[@eoghanfarrell2147]

Love this guy, never heard of him before.. He can shoot radio station numbers 😂😂😂

[@berniebond]

Search "commander in cheat". Good read!

[@ranthony1944]

He's a writer, he's important, ask him.

[@smhlagoon7201]

Righteous indignation is a really unattractive character trait.

[@connorryan6026]

Dang dude came in with a hard B…Homeless? Na, that’s too PC…I’ll go with Bum 😳😳

[@indycustommade3568]

I was thinking the same thing. Not every homeless guy is a bum and not every bum is homeless. I would have gone with homeless or stranger. Just saying.

[@justinjohnson8551]

@@indycustommade3568 i agree. some of those so called "bums" are mentally ill.

[@alanjones9659]

Wish LIV would start a league to rival the NBA.

[@craigs19721972]

Look. You don't turn down 100+ million to play a sport that they love. PGA has had a good time and now it's opening to the rest of the world. USA has the worst human rights issues as well sunshine!!!

[@ForsakenWar]

So would you rather live in Saudi Arabia or the U.S.?? Hmmm....

[@craigs19721972]

@@ForsakenWar Neither. I live in New Zealand 🇳🇿 😍

[@craigs19721972]

@@ForsakenWar it's about money and lifestyle. US money is just as bad as any country that is involved with war etc. The US has funded and been involved in so many wars that people forget that.

[@georgefaught3390]

But nothing about pga of china

[@travisavery7065]

Crazy how we can do the same things but judge other countries

[@ivanboesky1520]

Exactly!

[@blueshattrick]

Fun Fact: No one has been killed with a bone saw in a US embassy

[@coreyyork9463]

Rich Eisen. I have loved your work, until know. I have never seen such a hypocritical movement. So it’s ok for every other industry to bathe in Saudi money, but not professional golfers. How many American presidents have filled their pockets with Saudi money. It’s getting to the point of I am done watching Rich Eisen. IMO, there are lots of people hurting their legacy over this whole thing, including you Rich, but it’s not the golfers.

[@SOLDOZER]

Its easy for Rick to turn down the money. Nobody is offering it to him.

[@harukuhitoki2991]

Self Respect Bro...not everyone has it! People watch a crime and don't get involved, and a few do get involved and know what's right and wrong.....

[@KalahariJack]

And I am disgusted that many of the PGA sponsors do business with the Saudis