LIV Golf weighs bankruptcy as Saudi funding ends and seeks new investment

LIV Golf, the Saudi‑backed breakaway golf league, is exploring bankruptcy options after the Public Investment Fund announced it will no longer fund the league beyond the 2026 season. The league, launched in 2021 and led by PIF governor Yasir Al‑Rumayyan, has reportedly spent more than $5 billion in PIF money. CEO Scott O’Neil has said profitability is still years away and the league is trying to raise between $250 million and $350 million from outside investors.

To improve its financial outlook, LIV Golf has hired restructuring specialists Gene Davis and Jon Zinman, and is considering moving its headquarters to the United States to take advantage of more favorable bankruptcy laws. The league is also planning a major schedule overhaul to appeal to potential investors. Player contracts, including those of star Bryson DeChambeau, are set to expire at season’s end, adding further uncertainty about the league’s future.

The situation highlights the challenges facing the league as it seeks new funding and a sustainable operating model amid the withdrawal of its primary backer.