LIV Golf Locks In Lead Investor, Players Take Majority Stake
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- LIV Golf has secured a board-approved lead investor with a signed agreement, with final terms expected in September, CEO Scott O'Neil announced at Trump National Bedminster.
- LIV Golf players will become majority equity holders — described as a first for a major global sports league.
- More than a dozen additional parties have expressed interest as minority investors, building a multi-partner ownership model.
- The rebranded LIV 2.0 will host 10 tournaments (5 domestic, 5 international), down from 14, with purses dropping below the current $30 million.
- Scott O'Neil confirmed players will regain rights to their name, image, and likeness and be permitted to compete on other tours simultaneously.
- Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund announced in April it would pull funding at the end of 2026, and PIF chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down from LIV's board.
- The league was seeking $250 million to $300 million in outside investment, and reports suggest LIV may file for bankruptcy, which could turn owed players into creditors.
Why it matters: The PIF exit had raised existential questions about LIV's future, but this deal preserves the league at least through 2027 with players gaining unprecedented ownership stakes. The reduced tournament count and purse cuts signal tighter operations, while the possible bankruptcy filing and potential cancellation of the team championship underscore ongoing financial strain.
