John Henry started a ‘bidding war’ after hearing about the merger between PGA Tour and LIV Golf

John Henry has admitted he entered a bidding war to bring Sports Strategic Group into the PGA Tour’s new for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises.

Earlier this year, SSG pledged to invest an eye-watering £1.2 billion ($1.5 billion) in the PGA Tour, with Henry foraying into professional golf amid his ties to football, ice hockey and baseball. The interest came after the Liverpool owner spotted the PGA Tour’s plan to tie up with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).

Last June, the American circuit left the sport in shock after announcing that they had reached an agreement with PIF, ending their ongoing dispute with their rivals at LIV Golf.

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On the back of the announcement, Henry’s enthusiasm for investing in professional golf was born after he noticed that no American investors were included in the Tour’s choice to side with the Middle Eastern fund. According to the Boston Globe, Henry had met Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and their interest began there.

“Nobody stepped forward (to invest),” Henry said. “I remember in that meeting I said, ‘Why aren’t any Americans stepping forward?’ Someone who had ties to the golf world said, ‘Don’t worry, there are a number of banks and bankers who are looking at this.’

“So two weeks went by. And still nobody did anything.” The Henry-led SSG stepped forward and launched their bid to join the PGA Tour, but they weren’t alone. “It became a bidding war,” the Boston Red Sox owner noted. “It’s one of the most unique deals in the history of the sport.

“Why do I say that? You have North American team owners coming together to invest as relatively small shareholders who are completely aligned with the players and have four seats on this board, who are not directing, ‘This is what we’re going to do,’ but who are providing counsel, advice and support on how best to build this business going forward.”

Henry has since joined the PGA Tour’s transaction committee, which is currently trying to broker a peace deal with the Saudi fund. The biggest question mark surrounding the proposed deal is whether the PGA Tour will end the suspensions imposed on players over the Saudi move.

Like many others involved, Henry believes an end to hostilities between the two tours would only be to the benefit of professional sport. He added: “The players have a desire, the Public Investment Fund has a desire, as does the Tour in general — I don’t think there’s anyone in golf who doesn’t want (a unification of professional golf) to happen.”