LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has moved to alleviate concerns about the league's financial future, stating that the 2026 season will continue as planned without interruption. This comes after reports suggested that Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund might be reconsidering its financial backing of the league.
O'Neil's memo to staff emphasized that the season will proceed 'at full throttle,' despite speculation about the league's funding. The memo was sent to staff after a day of reports indicating that LIV Golf executives had been summoned to an emergency meeting in New York, and that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) was considering cutting its support for the league.
The PIF has invested heavily in LIV Golf, with estimates suggesting that the league has already spent $5.3 billion and is projected to surpass $6 billion by the end of the year. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the league's funding, O'Neil remains optimistic about LIV Golf's future, stating that the league is 'bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before.' The league has faced significant challenges since its launch in 2022, including the loss of high-profile players such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. However, O'Neil remains committed to the league's mission, stating that 'the life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure' and that LIV Golf will continue to 'put on the most compelling show in sports.'