9/11 Families United Launches Massive Billboard Campaign in New York City’s Times Square Condemning Saudi “Sportswashing”

Digital billboard calls attention to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s “other” sponsorships in the wake of its takeover of the PGA Tour

Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) prepares to hold a hearing next week to examine the planned Saudi takeover of the PGA Tour and the future of professional golf in the United States, 9/11 Families United today announced the launch of a new advertising campaign in the heart of New York’s Times Square to condemn and draw attention to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented effort to deflect attention away from its atrocious human rights record and support for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 9/11 Families United is an organization of family members of those murdered in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as well as many of those who survived, were injured in or sickened from the attacks.

The PGA Tour had previously sided with the 9/11 community last year in its condemnation of the Saudi-funded LIV golf tour and it’s multi-billion dollar sportswashing campaign, but is now preparing to accept billions of dollars from the Saudis to help them sportswash the Kingdom’s horrific reputation. 

9/11 Families United’s new ad reminds Americans that Saudi Arabia’s other sponsorships, in addition to the PGA Tour include:

  • The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
  • Global Jihadist Extremism
  • Murder & Bone Saw Dismemberment of an American Journalist
  • Indiscriminate Bombing of Civilians
  • Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
  • Human Rights Violations

The ad, which can be viewed in full here, will air throughout this week on “The 1500 Broadway Spectacular” billboard located in the heart of Times Square.  It is 56’ wide x 29’ high for a total of 1,624 square feet of viewing space.  It is a double-sided, LED screen located five stories above the northeast corner of the intersection at 1500 Broadway and West 43rd Street. The digital billboard also wraps around the building so the left side of the ad will be on the one side, while the larger message on the right will scroll above Times Square.

“Americans should never allow the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to buy its way out of accountability for its unrepentant role in the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including the life of my husband and father of my children. After years of fighting for truth and accountability, we now know that agents on the Saudi government’s payroll played a key role in providing the necessary support to the 9/11 hijackers to carry out this devastating attack,” said Terry Strada, National Chair of 9/11 Families United.

“Saudi leaders should be ashamed but are more interested in using their resources to deploy a ‘small army’ of consultants to take over an American institution that my husband and I once loved – the PGA Tour – with the goal of ‘sportswashing’ their atrocious behavior. The 9/11 community hopes this billboard encourages Congress and the American people to question the dangerous pact the PGA Tour has made with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and reminds them to ‘never forget’ as we continue fighting for accountability.”

The PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi PIF has come under intense scrutiny from players and lawmakers as details of the deal, made without the consent or knowledge of its members, remain scarce. The United States Senate Committee on Finance launched a wide-ranging investigation into the deal earlier this month and on July 11th, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) led by Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-WI) will hold a hearing to examine the planned Saudi takeover and the future of professional golf in the United States.

View 9/11 Families Times Square Billboard HERE