PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was called a hypocrite in a heated meeting with players at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto on Tuesday, hours after the tour announced that it was forming a partnership with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and the DP World Tour.

Australian golfer Geoff Ogilvy told reporters that a player called Monahan a hypocrite during the meeting at the site of this week's RBC Canadian Open, which lasted for more than an hour.

"It was mentioned, yeah, and he took it," Ogilvy said. "He said, 'Yeah.' He took it for sure."

In a news conference with reporters later, Monahan said he realizes he might be criticized for agreeing to form a new entity with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund after he had questioned the source of the LIV Golf League in the past.

"I recognize everything that I've said in the past and my prior positions. I recognize that people are going to call me a hypocrite," Monahan said. "Anytime I said anything, I said it with the information that I had at that moment, and I said it based on someone that's trying to compete for the PGA Tour and our players. I accept those criticisms, but circumstances do change. I think that in looking at the big picture and looking at it this way, that's what got us to this point."

At last year's RBC Canadian Open, Monahan was asked about the Saudi Arabian monarchy's connections to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks during an interview with CBS Sports.

"I think you'd have to be living under a rock not to know there are significant implications," Monahan said at the time. "I would ask any player who has left or any player who would consider leaving, 'Have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?'"

Monahan on Tuesday said that the PGA Tour had been in talks with PIF officials for about seven weeks. He said PGA Tour policy board members Ed Herlihy and Jimmy Dunne had the initial meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the sovereign wealth fund.

There were four in-person meetings, as well as a number of video calls and phone conversations. During the meeting, several players complained about being kept in the dark during the negotiations.

Many players found out via social media on Tuesday before ever seeing a memo that was sent by Monahan.

PGA Tour stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and others weren't told about the pending deal in advance, and neither were members of the Players Advisory Committee.

A source told ESPN that Monahan didn't reveal many details of the plan with PIF and the DP World Tour and stood in the front of the room "and took everything the players gave him."

"When you get into these conversations, and given the complexity of what we were dealing with, it's not uncommon that the circle of information is very tight," Monahan said. "In our case, we kept that information very tight. ... The fact of the matter is that this was a shock to a lot of people because we were not in a position to share or explain, as we normally would, and that was really a result of the commitment we had made to maintaining confidentiality through the end."

Monahan said he understood players being frustrated about being blindsided by the news.

"Obviously, it's been a very dynamic and complex couple of years, and for players, I'm not surprised," Monahan said. "This is an awful lot to ask them to digest, and this is a significant change for us in the direction that we were going down."

The agreement ends all litigation between the parties and "combines PIF's golf-related commercial businesses and rights (including LIV Golf) with the commercial businesses and rights of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour into a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that delivers maximum excitement and competition among the game's best players."

According to the release, a board of directors will oversee the new entity's golf-related commercial operations, businesses and investments. The groups will work to establish a cohesive schedule. PIF will be the exclusive investor in the new entity and will have the "exclusive right to further invest in the new enterprise, including a right of first refusal on any capital invested.

The PGA Tour will remain a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization, according to the release, and will retain oversight of the sanctioning of events, administration of competition and rules.

Al-Rumayyan will join the policy board of the PGA Tour, which continues to operate its tournaments. Al-Rumayyan will be chairman of the new commercial group, with Monahan as the CEO and the PGA Tour having a majority stake in the new venture. The PIF will invest in the commercial venture.

MILWAUKEE -- Adrian Griffin understands the responsibility that comes with taking over a title contender as a first-time head coach.

"Let's be real," Griffin said Tuesday during his introductory news conference as the Milwaukee Bucks' coach. "What first-time head coach gets to coach the Milwaukee Bucks, with all the special talent on this team? I'm extremely humbled."

The Bucks went against the grain by selecting Griffin, who spent the past five seasons as an assistant with Toronto. He replaces Mike Budenholzer, who led Milwaukee to the league's best regular-season record but got fired after a first-round playoff loss to Miami.

Six teams have made coaching changes since the end of the regular season. The Bucks are the lone team thus far to pick someone without head-coaching experience.

The Philadelphia 76ers chose former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, the Houston Rockets selected ex-Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and the Detroit Pistons hired former Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams. Phoenix and Toronto still haven't filled their coaching vacancies.

Bucks general manager Jon Horst said Griffin's background as an NBA player and assistant over the past two decades made him an ideal candidate. Horst cited a comment from his assistant general manager.

"Milt Newton said throughout this process after we met with Adrian, 'Adrian's a head coach. He just hasn't gotten the opportunity yet,'" Horst recalled.

Griffin, who turns 49 on July 4, already is taking steps to address his lack of experience. He confirmed Tuesday that his staff will include Terry Stotts, who spent 13 seasons as an NBA head coach, including a two-year stint with Milwaukee from 2005 to '07.

"To get a guy like Terry is a home run," Griffin said. "He brings unbelievable experience."

Griffin was an undrafted swingman from Seton Hall who ended up playing eight seasons in the NBA after toiling in lesser leagues. He has spent 15 years as an NBA assistant since the end of his playing career.

He now steps into a big opportunity with expectations to match.

The Bucks fired Budenholzer just two years after he led Milwaukee to its first NBA championship in half a century. The Bucks posted the NBA's top regular-season record in three of Budenholzer's five seasons but, with the exception of 2021, they couldn't match that success in the playoffs.

Griffin takes over a talent-laden roster led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Griffin spoke to Antetokounmpo before he was hired and said he felt like they connected and that they have similar values.

"Yes, we have high expectations, but we're going to embrace them," Griffin said. "But it starts by getting to work. Never lose sight of the work involved. I think going undrafted and going the minor league route, it taught me the value of hard work. That's what we're going to build upon from day one."

Griffin was on Toronto's staff when the Raptors won the 2019 championship. One year later came a development that could have hindered his shot at becoming a head coach when his ex-wife, Audrey Sterling, accused him in an August 2020 social media post of physically abusing her and failing to pay child support. Griffin filed a defamation suit a year later that was settled in September.

The initial complaint filed by Griffin included statements posted on social media by two of their children supporting him and denying their mother's allegations.

Griffin said Wednesday he couldn't get into the details of the litigation but noted that he "absolutely denied" his ex-wife's accusations and pointed out he was the one who filed the defamation lawsuit. Horst said the Bucks researched the issue and cited a review the Raptors had conducted in collaboration with the NBA.

"It was clear and determined the accusations were just unfounded," Horst said. "I can tell you beyond that, just the multiple conversations I've had with Adrian and others had with him, in each case his comments were just really heartfelt and sincere. Ultimately, we believe him and believe in him, and the person of high character that he is. Everyone that we spoke to felt the same. It gave us a ton of excitement and confidence in making the hire, even though we were aware of those allegations."

Griffin now is back in the place where he began his coaching career.

After getting traded to Milwaukee in the summer of 2008, Griffin stayed with the Bucks throughout training camp before getting a call from coach Scott Skiles at the start of the season. Griffin hadn't made the team but got an offer to join Skiles' staff.

Griffin has been coaching ever since. He now rejoins Horst, who was the Bucks' director of basketball operations in 2008.

"It's funny how life works," Griffin said. "Everything has come full circle."

PHOENIX -- Frank Vogel led the Lakers to an NBA title in his first season in Los Angeles by finding a way to mesh the skills of stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The veteran coach is now in a similar situation in the desert, where he takes over a Phoenix Suns team led by stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

The blueprint is there. Vogel just needs to make the pieces fit.

"The first thing I can apply is direct belief," Vogel said Tuesday during his introductory news conference. "Now because I've done it, I've been a part of it. If the talent is in place, that you can galvanize a group and take the league by storm."

Vogel did just that with James and Davis, leading a team that went 37-45 the year before to the franchise's 17th NBA title in the Florida pandemic bubble.

Vogel's new team is already on the rise.

Monty Williams took over a team that won 19 games in 2018-19 and guided it to the NBA Finals within two years.

When two embarrassing playoff exits followed -- Phoenix trailed by 30 at halftime in both home losses -- new Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones decided a change was needed. The Suns fired Williams on May 13 after four successful seasons, hoping a change in message could get the franchise back near the pinnacle.

"I just felt we needed an injection of a different voice, a different energy. It's really that simple," Jones said. "And as we evaluated where we were and where we wanted to go, we just saw a gap and we needed to fill it."

Vogel takes over a roster in flux.

Booker, one of the league's best scorers, will be back. So will Durant, a 13-time All-Star.

Point guard Chris Paul was the cog the Suns appeared to missing when he joined the franchise in 2020, leading Phoenix to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993 in his first season.

The 38-year-old continued to be an effective floor leader in his 17th season, finishing fourth in the NBA in assists at 8.9 per game this season. Once the playoffs rolled around, Paul's body gave out for a second straight year, a strained groin knocking him out of the Suns' final four games.

The Suns also have to decide whether to stick with center Deandre Ayton or trade him.

The 24-year-old has dominated at times, disappeared others. Ayton faded in the playoffs this year for a second straight season, his averages dipping even before he suffered a rib contusion in Game 5 against Denver.

"He can be a big deterrent [defensively] and there's still areas that he can grow offensively," Vogel said. "I'm intent on really connecting with him and restoring him to an All-Star-level player."

Vogel has surrounded himself with proven assistants.

David Fizdale was an assistant under Vogel with the Lakers after serving as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks. He will be joined by Kevin Young, one of the NBA's top assistants and a finalist for the job Vogel eventually got.

Their biggest task will be to add a bit of grit to the glamour of Phoenix's two high-scoring star players.

Vogel is a defensive-minded coach with a successful track record that includes an NBA title and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals as the Indiana Pacers' coach.

A dose of D could be just what the Suns need.

"The No. 1 habit that we develop all year is that we have to play harder and tougher and with more hustle than our opponents every night," Vogel said. "Because if you develop that habit over 82 games, boy when you get to come playoff time, you know when every team's trying to ratchet it up, it's already going to be there for us."

Like in LA, Vogel is not facing an overhaul.

Booker and Durant are still two of the league's best scorers, and the franchise is two years removed from a trip to the NBA Finals. Add the right complementary players and the Suns could remain one of the Western Conference's best teams.

"We're very close," Vogel said. "A lot of things have to go our way. You need a lot of luck and you need some breaks along the way, but I feel like the foundation is in place. We've got to just make some moves around the edges."

The Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday acquired Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov in a three-way deal that included the Los Angeles Kings.

Provorov, 26, finished his seventh NHL season with six goals and 21 assists in 82 games for the Flyers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2015. He averaged 23:01 in ice time.

"Improving our blue line has been a priority for us and acquiring Ivan gives us an established left-shot defenseman who is still a young player with his best seasons in front of him," Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. "He immediately improves our group on defense as he is durable, has great skill, skates well, is an excellent passer with an accurate shot and can effectively play at both ends of the ice."

The Flyers sent Provorov and minor league winger Hayden Hodgson to the Kings for defenseman Sean Walker, goaltender Cal Petersen, AHL defenseman Helge Grans and a 2024 second-round pick. Walker, 28, is signed through next season ($2.65 million AAV). Petersen, 28, is signed for two more years with a $5 million average annual salary. The Kings inked him to a three-year deal in 2021 in the hopes that he would be their starter, but Petersen lost that job this season, having his salary buried in the AHL.

Provorov's cap hit is $6.75 million next season and in 2024-25. The Kings retained 30% of that salary and traded him to the Blue Jackets.

Columbus continued the three-way trade with the Flyers by sending the Kings' first-round pick this season (22nd overall), which the Blue Jackets acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent goalie Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to Los Angeles, and a conditional second-round draft pick in either 2024 or 2025 to Philadelphia in exchange for defenseman Kevin Connauton.

The Blue Jackets then sent Connauton to the Kings to complete the trade.

For the Kings, the trade saves them money and opens up salary cap space to potentially re-sign Gavrikov, who is a pending unrestricted free agent.

This three-way trade continues a notable offseason for the Blue Jackets. ESPN previously reported that the team is expected to hire former Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock when his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs officially ends this summer.

Provorov gives them a veteran defenseman on the left side who can play behind star Zach Werenski. Provorov could be paired with rookie defenseman David Jiricek, who was the sixth overall pick in 2022.

Provorov gained notoriety this season for being the first NHL player to boycott his team's pregame Pride celebration, opting out of warmups Jan. 17 when the Flyers wore Pride jerseys and used rainbow tape in symbolic support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Provorov, who is Russian Orthodox, cited his religious beliefs in the decision. Coach John Tortorella and the Flyers allowed Provorov to play in that game and supported his right to boycott warmups.

This is the first significant trade for the Flyers' new management team of president Keith Jones and general manager Danny Briere, both of whom were officially hired last month.

The 9/11 Families United have condemned the PGA Tour's and DP World Tour's decision to merge with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit. 

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers from 9/11 were Saudi citizens and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been accused of sportswashing its contentious record on human rights by bankrolling the LIV Golf circuit. 

"PGA [Tour] Commissioner Jay Monahan co-opted the 9/11 community last year in the (PGA Tour's) unequivocal agreement that the Saudi LIV project was nothing more than sportswashing of Saudi Arabia's reputation. But now the PGA [Tour] and Monahan appear to have become just more paid Saudi shills, taking billions of dollars to cleanse the Saudi reputation so that Americans and the world will forget how the Kingdom spent their billions of dollars before 9/11 to fund terrorism, spread their vitriolic hatred of Americans, and finance al Qaeda and the murder of our loved ones. Make no mistake – we will never forget," said 9/11 Families United chair Terry Strada, whose husband, Tom, died in the World Trade Center's North Tower.

Last year after LIV Golf first launched, Monahan joined the CBS telecast during the RBC Canadian Open and said: "As it relates to the families of 9/11, I have two families that are close to me who lost loved ones, and so my heart goes out goes to them — and I would ask any player who has left (for LIV) or any player who has ever considered leaving, have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?” 

Later that year, a coalition of families and survivors of the 9/11 attacks sent a letter to the representatives of LIV defectors such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Kevin Na, denouncing them for participating on a tour funded by the Saudis in an effort to "sportswash" their reputation.

Now, almost a year later, Monahan said the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger is, "a momentous day for [the Tour] and the game of golf." The 9/11 Families United, however, call the merger duplicitous on Monahan's part. 

"Mr. Monahan talked last summer about knowing people who lost loved ones on 9/11, then wondered aloud on national television whether LIV Golfers ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour," Strada said. "They do now — as does he. PGA Tour leaders should be ashamed of their hypocrisy and greed. Our entire 9/11 community has been betrayed by Commissioner Monahan and the PGA [Tour] as it appears their concern for our loved ones was merely window-dressing in their quest for money — it was never to honor the great game of golf."

The golf world was rocked Tuesday when the PGA Tour, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the DP World Tour announced they were merging.

Here’s what the golf world’s leading organizations said about the news in the aftermath.

USGA

“Like most of the golf world, we were surprised by today’s PGA Tour/DP World Tour/LIV Golf news. If this proposed consolidation can help resolve the conflicts in men’s professional golf and allows all parties to focus on the incredible interest, growth, and opportunities that exist within our global game, then it’s an important step forward. We look forward to learning more about how this new approach can further drive long-term growth in our wonderful game.”

- Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA

R&A

“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached which will help men’s professional golf move forward in a collaborative, constructive and innovative fashion. We care deeply about golf’s future and are committed to ensuring that the sport continues to thrive for many years to come. This agreement represents a huge step toward achieving that goal for golf and we look forward to working with the new entity for the benefit of the sport globally.”

- Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A

LPGA

"As we have consistently said, a fractured ecosystem is not good for the game and we look forward to learning what today's announcement means for the growth and impact of global golf. We remain focused on growing the LPGA, continuing to work with the top partners in the world to provide the best opportunity for our membership and to make sure that everything we do continues to allow us to inspire, elevate and advance opportunities for girls and women, on and off the golf course."

- Mollie Marcoux Samaan, LPGA commissioner

ANGC

“As we have expressed previously, what makes golf special is its rich history and ability to bring people together. We are encouraged by this announcement, which represents a positive development in bringing harmony to men’s professional golf. Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament are—and will remain—devoted to developing the game and celebrating its many virtues.”

- Fred Ridley, Augusta National Golf Club and Masters chairman

The PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger has ignited a mixed bag of reactions. 

Jack Nicklaus, however, told The Palm Beach Post Tuesday that he views the shocking news as a positive for the sport. 

"The last three years have been difficult for the game and the players," said the 83-year-old, 18-time major champion. "I spoke with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan this morning. He seemed pleased with the arrangement that will once again bring together the best players in the world. I agree that this is good for the game of golf.

"I also appreciate the commissioner’s comments about continuing the tradition of the Tour and the mission to support important charitable causes. I am certainly interested in seeing the details. Jay indicated that this all will happen in 2024, so very soon the proof will be in the pudding. Whatever is best for the game of golf enjoys my full support."

Last year, Nicklaus told the Fire Pit Collective that he was offered $100 million to be the CEO of LIV. 

"I've got zero interest in wanting to do something like that," Nicklaus said. "I don't care what kind of money they would have thrown at me. My allegiance has been to the PGA Tour. I grew up on the PGA Tour. I helped found the PGA Tour as it is today."

Last week at his Memorial Tournament, Nicklaus was asked during a press conference if LIV players were missed at his event, and the Golden Bear said, "I don’t even consider those guys part of the game anymore," but added that he has no ill will towards anyone who bolted to the Saudi-backed circuit. 

A lot, though, has changed in a week. And behind Monahan's promise to Nicklaus that the sport will uphold its traditions, the Memorial Tournament tweeted Tuesday that it plans to continue being a staple on Tour. 

"Although there are many unanswered questions, we are confident that the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, which just concluded a successful 48th edition, will remain a centerpiece on the PGA Tour and professional golf," the event's executive director, Dan Sullivan, said in a statement. "The tournament will continue to focus on showcasing world-class competition and supporting charitable organizations in Central Ohio and beyond."

Juventus look set to leave the Super League project still being pursued by Real Madrid and Barcelona, though the club denied Tuesday they had been threatened with a European ban by UEFA.

The three storied clubs are awaiting a ruling expected within weeks from the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg into their legal challenge against what they claimed is UEFA's monopoly control of European club competitions.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

But Juventus responded to reports they already left the Super League by explaining there was merely contact with the two Spanish clubs "to initiate a discussion period" about an exit.

The three clubs were holdouts of the breakaway Super League announced in April 2021, which collapsed within 48 hours amid fan and player criticism that forced Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid to pull out.

UEFA was a clear winner when the Luxembourg court gave a first, non-binding opinion in the Super League case in December that went against the clubs.

It has been a tough season for Juventus' owners, players and lawyers with no trophies won, legal cases lost and mass resignations among the board of directors.

A 10-point deduction in Serie A was finally confirmed last month in a false accounting case that dropped Juventus to finish seventh instead of qualifying for the next Champions League. That entry would have been worth tens of millions of euros to the financially troubled club.

However, even the two-time European champions' place in the third-tier Europa Conference League is at risk from a separate UEFA investigation of the false accounting allegations.

Juventus appear likely to have broken UEFA's financial fair play rules that can lead to bans imposed by a UEFA-appointed panel. A final verdict, potentially on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is needed before the Europa Conference League qualifying playoffs round in August.

Long-time club president Andrea Agnelli resigned in November in fallout from the case. He had been a UEFA executive committee member and chairman of the influential European Club Association before giving up those positions of power in 2021 to help launch the Super League.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry said on Tuesday that he has worked to forge a relationship with new general manager Ran Carthon and is not worried about reportedly being shopped around by the Titans in March.

Carthon denied shopping the Pro Bowl running back in April.

"Talking to him, meeting him in person. I've put a face with the name," Henry said in his first public comments this offseason. "Just doing all of those things. When we get to football, we're not worried about that other stuff."

Henry rushed for 1,538 yards (his third-best total) last season and holds a $16.3 million cap hit this year. The Titans had limited cap space to work with during the offseason but have managed to add veteran free agents and still leave Henry's contract intact. Tennessee used a third-round draft pick to select running back Tyjae Spears this year after selecting Hassan Haskins in the fourth round in 2022.

At 29 years old, Henry might be entering his final season with the Titans given how he has two low-cost voidable years remaining on his deal. Henry says he wants to hit the ground running in new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly's scheme. That's why Henry checked in for voluntary OTAs this season as opposed to working out on his own until the mandatory portion of the offseason starts.

"It's a completely new offense, so I just came in here trying to learn everything," Henry said. "I tried to get in here as early as I can to learn and fly around."

Henry is entering his eighth NFL season, tying him with veteran safety Kevin Byard for the longest-tenured players on the team. Both players were selected in the 2016 draft. Byard was asked to take a pay cut during the offseason and refused. The veteran safety checked into minicamp after missing voluntary OTAs. The Titans were noticeably more energetic on defense with Byard on the field.