Report: Apple TV turned down chance to broadcast 'toxic' LIV Golf

LIV Golf has been controversial ever since it burst onto the scene as a very real and capable challenger to the PGA Tour.

It makes sense, too. Golf is a sport of tradition and LIV Golf is anything but traditional. There are 54 holes each player completes in every tournament compared to the 72 holes in the PGA. LIV Golf also uses a shotgun start and team play, while the PGA Tour features staggered starts and individual play.

Participants in the LIV Golf tour also have a chance to make a ton more money compared to what the PGA offers. There's the simple fact that just entering a tournament guarantees you a share of the purse. We're also talking about millions of dollars being thrown around in order to garner some of the best golfers in the world.

The money has been where the problem lies with LIV Golf, though, because it's backed by Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Not to get political and controversial, but Saudi Arabia doesn't necessarily have the best track record when it comes to human rights issues.

That's been the crux of the blowback against LIV Golf, and those political, and human rights concerns are apparently big enough that they cost LIV a pretty notable broadcasting deal.