Newcastle United’s PIF owners hold ‘positive’ talks with second sport after groundbreaking golf deal

Newcastle United’s owners’ sporting aspirations haven’t been satisfied since taking over the club in 2021. In fact, it seems they’re just getting started.

Last month it was announced the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia is initiating a historic merger in the golf world, combining their newly-formed LIV Tour with the established PGA Tour.

And now PIF are trying their hand at tennis.

On Saturday, it was reported by the Daily Mail ATP, the men’s tour, had held talks with Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund.

It was revealed ATP Tour chair Andrea Gaudenzi said he held ‘positive’ talks over Newcastle United’s owners potential investment.

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ATP are keen to strengthen their relationship with Saudi Arabia. Last year the top players took part in the Diriyah Cup, an exhibition tournament. The Daily Mail also believes the ATP Finals could move to the Middle East.

This will be a major boost for Newcastle United’s owners and it seems also to be the case for the players.

Tennis’ most-infamous player Nick Kyrgios took to Twitter to voice his support last night, commenting in all-caps: ‘Finally. They see the value. We are going to get paid what we deserve to get paid. Sign me up,’ complete with a flurry of money bag emojis.

Money is the driving force behind PIF’s rise to dominance. The Saudi Pro League encapsulates this, luring the most famous footballers over to the Middle East for record-breaking sums.

Naturally, people are thinking any tennis tournaments held over there will have the biggest prize funds and appearance fees on the tour.

And the world number one Carlos Alcaraz said he has “no doubts” he will compete in Saudi Arabia one day.

After his win at Queen’s Club on Sunday, an event which saw Newcastle United co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi in attendance, the 20-year-old said: “I’ve never played an official tournament over there, and let’s see how it is going to be in the future,” he said after his Queen’s Club win on Sunday.

“But, well, I have no doubts that I’ll play over there in the future.”

It’s clear PIF are looking to dominate the sporting world, something they initially set out to do when they started to diversify their economy away from oil.

First football, then golf and now tennis; what could be next? Oh yeah, PIF are still pushing for a stake in Formula One.