'Sportswashing' is raising its ugly head on the Saudi tour

Each year brings about a new buzz word in sports, politics or everyday life. Today’s thrilling maxim is “sportswashing,” the practice of a controversial company or country using sports sponsorships to improve its reputation.

In this case it applies to 48 money-gluttonous lads who make up Saudi Arabia’s LIV professional golf tour.

Now if they are donating a tenth of their wealth to church or charity, I’ll withdraw my fangs. But I’d have to see it first.

I doubt I’ll ever care for anything or anyone LIV stands for. I would not set up a lawn chair at Champions at Weeks Park to watch Phil Micklelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia tee off at No. 1 on a cool Saturday morn.

Phil was said to have received $200 million just for signing his name and doffing his cap. Others mentioned are instant millionaires. They’ll “compete” (compete, that’s a laugh) in a 12-team format and play 54 holes with zero cuts. They’ll likely hit a bag of practice balls before each round. Nothing during the week. And it matters not who wins.

DJ signed for an estimated $125 million. He justified it by suggesting he has a higher loyalty. “I choose to do what’s best for me and my family,” he explained.

Most of these LIV players are aware that not so long ago Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashogggi was ambushed, smothered and dismembered by Saudi assassins. Plus Saudi Arabia is noted for cruel and degrading punishment and doesn’t hold to women’s rights.

If you take a look at the PGA tour, guys like Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and others have net worth amounting to $100 million or more. That’s what DJ and Phil were making. I guess the question is when is enough enough?

Billy Horschel, currently ranked 15 among PGA players, is not afraid to speak out.

“A lot of these guys (defectors) are hypocrites,” he said. “It’s ridiculous to hear some of them say I played 30-35 weeks a year on the PGA tour. No one forced them to play 35 rounds. The PGA minimum is 15 events.”

Brandel Chamblee, host of TV’s Golf Central, said, “They pretend it is not about money but for the betterment of golf. All they’re interested in is hiding their image. Sportswashing.”

The LIV has inspired Tiger Woods to strive to make the PGA everlasting.

Making money is not a bad thing. However, the “love” or “lust” of the greenback can be a dangerous road to travel.

Denzel Washington once said, “You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. I’ve been blessed to make millions of dollars in my life. I can’t take it with me, and neither can you.”

He added, “It’s not how much you have but what you choose to do with what you have.”

Ted Spud Buss is a former TRN sports and business editor.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: 'Sportswashing' is raising its ugly head on the Saudi tour