LIV Golf has announced that it has struck a deal with a new, as‑yet‑unnamed lead investor following the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's (PIF) decision in April to cease its financial support for the breakaway tour at the close of 2026. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the agreement is expected to be finalised later this month, marking a pivotal moment for the league as it seeks to secure its long‑term viability. Under the terms of the new partnership, the players themselves will acquire a controlling equity interest in the organisation. This move will give the athletes a majority stake in the league’s ownership structure – a first for a major global sport – and is intended to align the interests of the competitors with the financial health of the product.
The forthcoming season is slated to feature roughly ten team‑based events spread throughout the calendar year, complemented by five "Team Majors" that will take place on different continents, giving the schedule a truly worldwide footprint. The PIF’s withdrawal had cast a shadow over LIV Golf’s future, prompting a board‑level restructuring and a public call for "long‑term financial partners" to step in.
CEO Scott O'Neil told Sky Sports News that the league is now moving toward a "multi‑partner model" that will blend the new lead investor with a host of minority investors. He said more than a dozen additional parties have already expressed interest in taking minority stakes, creating a diversified capital base designed to deliver stability and growth for years to come.
"LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the Board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the League's next era, driven by and for the players," O'Neil explained. "We're also seeing strong interest from more than a dozen additional parties to potentially serve as minority investors, creating a multi‑partner model built for long‑term stability and growth.
Our next chapter will make our players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf, a first for a major global sports league, and gives the league the foundation to keep growing the game worldwide." The CEO added that the transaction with the lead investor is slated to close in September, describing the development as "good news" for the league and its members. At a press conference ahead of the LIV Golf New York event, O'Neil noted that the players were briefed on the deal on Tuesday and that the reaction among them was one of "good excitement." That same day, a players‑only meeting was convened at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, led by star Bryson DeChambeau. While O'Neil was not invited, he said the discussions were "robust" and had a "positive impact" on the league’s direction. He also expressed gratitude to the PIF for granting LIV Golf a window of time to secure new investment, emphasizing that the fund was not obligated to provide that grace period.
The question of whether DeChambeau will remain with LIV Golf for another season has been a focal point of speculation. His current contract runs through the end of the 2026 season, and the two‑time U.S.
Open champion is believed to be seeking a new deal worth roughly $500 million (about £370.5 million). Alongside Jon Rahm, DeChambeau represents one of the league’s marquee talents, and both players are central to LIV’s ambition to attract top‑tier golfers.
In the wake of the funding crisis, such a massive payout seemed unlikely, but O'Neil’s optimism about the new investor suggests the league may now have the financial firepower to meet those expectations. He outlined a vision of an "era of free agency" in which LIV Golf would collaborate more closely with other tours, offering players greater flexibility while still maintaining the league’s distinctive team‑based format. "I would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game and I have a lot of time for that," O'Neil said of the potential involvement of high‑profile players. "I think we have enough support from enough players, and we have such an interesting format and global format, I think we'll do quite well in getting the right stars for this game." Beyond the immediate financial restructuring, the new model could have broader implications for professional golf.
By giving players a majority ownership stake, LIV Golf aims to create a governance structure where those who compete on the courses have a direct say in strategic decisions, prize‑money distribution, and the evolution of the competition format. This could set a precedent that other tours might eventually emulate, especially if the league demonstrates sustained growth and fan engagement.
The upcoming season will also showcase the league’s commitment to a truly global presence. The five Team Majors are planned to be staged across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, each event featuring a blend of individual and team competition that differentiates LIV Golf from the traditional stroke‑play model of the PGA Tour and European Tour. By rotating venues across continents, the league hopes to tap into new markets, attract international sponsors, and build a worldwide fan base. While the exact identity of the lead investor remains confidential, industry analysts suggest it could be a sovereign wealth fund, a private equity consortium, or a high‑net‑worth individual with a strategic interest in sports entertainment.
Whatever the source, the capital infusion is expected to cover operational costs, player salaries, event production, and marketing initiatives for at least the next few years, thereby insulating the league from the immediate fallout of the PIF’s exit. In summary, LIV Golf’s new partnership marks a decisive step toward financial stability and player‑centric ownership. The league is positioning itself for an era where multiple investors share risk and reward, while the players themselves hold the reins as majority shareholders. If the model succeeds, it could reshape the economics of professional golf, offering a compelling alternative to the established tour structures and potentially ushering in a new age of competition, innovation, and global reach.