Sports Politika

Sports Politika

Louisiana Gov. funnels funds into Trump-tied sports spectacles

Governor Jeff Landry is pouring public funds into UFC and LIV Golf — sports ventures closely tied to Donald Trump —while Louisiana taxpayers foot the bill.

Karim Zidan's avatar
Karim Zidan
Sep 03, 2025
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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry alongside LIV Golf’s leadership during event announcement in August 2025.

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Last week, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry announced that the city of New Orleans will host a Saudi-backed LIV Golf event next summer.

The league, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s infamous sovereign wealth fund, was lured to the “Big Easy” after the Louisiana Legislature—at Landry’s request—allocated a $7 million budget from taxpayer funds for the event. Of that budget, $5 million will be paid to LIV Golf as a hosting fee.

“We only go where we’re welcome with open arms,” LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said during the press conference last week.

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