LIV Golf is either headed for bankruptcy or a new business model.
According to Axios, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil is seeking $250 million from potential investors with the promise of making the league profitable within 20 months. He had previously predicted profitability in 10 years, but that was before Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) stripped its backing of the PGA Tour’s upstart rival, thereby putting its future in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg has reported that LIV could relocate its headquarters from London to the US, where bankruptcy laws are more forgiving. The organization is currently spread across jurisdictions in UK, US and the island of Jersey, with the ultimate controlling entity being Riyadh-based PIF.
The Daily Mail has sought comment from a LIV Golf spokesperson on both reports. Previously, The Daily Mail’s Riath Al-Samarrai reported a behind-the-scenes look at LIV Golf’s future, including the growing belief the tour could keep Bryson DeChambeau.
ESPN has been told that the tour is currently considering several avenues to stay afloat.
‘LIV Golf is firmly focused on securing a transaction that positions the organization for the long term,’ a LIV Golf spokesperson told ESPN. ‘As we begin presenting our go-forward business plan to prospective capital partners, we are focused on achieving a sustainable future, and there are multiple pathways under active exploration.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil is pictured with Eric Trump at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia earlier this month. O’Neil previously served as President of Madison Square Garden Sports
The league’s 2026 season has continued as LIV scrambles for new investors
‘We continue to see great momentum on the course, and with support through the 2026 season and a clear plan to raise capital, leadership is focused on identifying the right long-term strategic partners who believe in our mission to grow the game of golf worldwide.
‘These conversations are just getting underway, and as they progress, the company expects to gain further clarity around the structure and timing of a potential transaction.’
Saudi’s PIF has pumped almost $6billion into LIV since 2022, with $30m alone paid out in prize money for each event. Those paydays were enough to lure the likes of Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and DeChambeau, all of whom were given reported nine-figure deals to defect from the PGA Tour.
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Should LIV Golf have been more cautious about relying on massive Saudi funding to disrupt the sport?
LIV Golf is reportedly optimistic it can retain Bryson DeChambeau after Saudi Arabia’s exit
But without much return on that investment, the fund announced in April that LIV was ‘no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s strategy.’
A PIF statement released to Daily Mail Sport read: ‘PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season.
‘The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy.
‘This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics. The LIV Golf Board has created a committee of independent directors to evaluate strategic alternatives for its future beyond PIF’s funding horizon.
‘LIV Golf has substantially grown the game globally through its transformational and positive impact. It has forever changed the game of golf for the better.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF (Pictured: Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan) pulled the plug on its funding
Phil Mickelson was one of the first PGA stars to defect to the upstart LIV Golf tour in 2022
‘PIF remains committed to deploying capital internationally in line with its investment strategy, including its substantial current and future investments in various sports as a priority sector.’
According to Forbes, the tour has posted cumulative losses of more than $1.4bn since its 2021 founding.
Shortly after PIF’s announcement, LIV said it was pivoting focus to ‘securing long-term financial partners to support its transition from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model’.
They added: ‘This strategic evolution, accelerated by the league’s record-breaking performance in 2026, includes the appointment of a newly established independent board led by Gene Davis and Jon Zinman, seasoned experts with proven track records of navigating complex situations and unlocking value for global organizations, to guide the league through its next phase.’
