SAN JOSE, Calif. — Gamers from Saudi-funded LIV Golf who’ve filed an antitrust lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour can be ready almost 16 months for the case to go to trial.
U.S. District Decide Beth Labson Freeman on Thursday set the trial for Jan. 8, 2024.
Relying on whether or not LIV attorneys proceed with a preliminary injunction — the choose mentioned she had room on her schedule in late September or early October — which means PGA Tour gamers who’ve been suspended for signing with the rival league might undergo one other yr of not being allowed at PGA Tour occasions.
Freeman final week denied a short lived restraining order sought by Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones who needed to compete within the PGA Tour’s postseason.
LIV attorneys had needed a trial date for Aug. 7, 2023, arguing the case wanted to be expedited. PGA Tour attorneys mentioned it was not affordable to adequately put together. They famous it coincided with the beginning of the FedEx Cup playoffs and make it tough for PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and different executives whose testimony seemingly can be required.
Freeman set a July 23, 2023, date for abstract judgment, at which level the tour is prone to ask that the case be dismissed.
The lawsuit was filed two weeks in the past by 11 gamers, though Carlos Ortiz has requested that his title be faraway from the lawsuit. LIV attorneys indicated it might want discovery materials from 9 gamers, indicating one other might need dropped out of the lawsuit.
