LIV Golf bankruptcy filings reveal $15.6 million in executive retention payments

Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings for LIV Golf reveal that the league issued $15.6 million in retention payments to seven executives shortly before seeking bankruptcy protection on September 8, 2026. The largest single payment was a $6.375 million retention bonus awarded to CEO Scott O’Neil on June 24, 2026.

Other significant payments included over $3.3 million to CFO David Phillips and approximately $2.6 million to Chief Legal Officer John Ruzich. Additionally, former founding commissioner Greg Norman received more than $9.4 million upon his departure in September 2025, consisting of a $5.8 million settlement and a $3.6 million bonus.

These executive payouts occurred while the league faced mounting unpaid claims from various vendors. Unresolved debts include $1.23 million owed to Fresh Tape Media, over $1.1 million to Mobii Systems, nearly $860,000 to Deltatre, and approximately $992,870 to Fantasy Interactive. The filings follow the withdrawal of support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which had previously invested more than $5 billion in the league since its 2022 launch.