New Jersey Senators Trying to Stop Events Like LIV Golf
The controversial Saudi Arabian backed LIV Golf Tournament that came to Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster could soon be banned if a pair of New Jersey lawmakers can get their way with a proposal that would “prohibit sports organizations that operate primarily with money from sovereign wealth funds from hosting sporting events in the Garden State.”
The measure proposed by Democrat Senators Andrew Zwicker and Richard Codey would target any sport, but has the LIV tournament in mind most specifically, because of its connections to the Saudi government. Many have pointed that Saudi Arabia is partially responsible for the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon 21 years ago, and don’t believe the United States should have athletes becoming financial partners. Other’s have pointed to Saudi Arabia’s inglorious human rights record as another impetus to keep away from LIV Golf.
The LIV Tournament steeped itself further into muddy waters when former President Trump announced that it would play a tournament at his golf course in the Garden State. The former President, who is no stranger to controversy himself, added that “nobody got to the bottom of 9-11 unfortunately, and they should.”
"We do not need competitions in NJ that are bankrolled by repressive governments in a shameful 'sports-washing' endeavor," state Senator Andrew Zwicker said. https://t.co/kX98xjApdP
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) August 17, 2022
NJ.com later reported that Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner had a close relationship with the Saudi Crown Prince when Trump was President; including giving Kushner’s private equity firm $2 billion.
NJ.com also reports that under the proposal, “the state attorney general would have the authority to ensure municipalities, countries, organizations, governments, property owners, and any vendors with licenses comply with the ban.”
The bill must come before the State Senate and Assembly — both of which are firmly controlled by the Democrats, before making its way to Governor Murphy’s desk for signature.
