LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its employees beginning next week, while negotiations continue to secure the organization’s long‑term viability. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) choice to cease its financial backing after the conclusion of the 2026 season, forcing the league to trim its headcount regardless of whether any new investment deals can be sealed.
According to an internal memo delivered this week, "the majority of its workforce" will see their contracts under the current LIV 1.0 structure end in early September. Employees had previously been warned in July that redundancies were a possibility, and the latest communication confirms that the cuts are now being implemented. No definitive plan has yet been set for staffing levels in any future incarnation of the league. At present, LIV Golf employs more than 300 people worldwide, but the organization remains hopeful that a portion of those staff could be rehired if a revamped version—often referred to as LIV 2.0—gets off the ground.
A spokesperson for LIV told Sky Sports, "The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion. As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality.
This week, we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September. We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition." The league’s season wrapped up a week earlier than scheduled after the Team Championship in Michigan was cancelled. At an event in Indianapolis, chief executive Scott O'Neil expressed optimism that fresh investment could be secured and that the league could move forward. He emphasized that discussions are ongoing with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors, although the term sheet that would fund the next season remains non‑binding and has not been finalized.
Proposed structures for the new league include a model where the players hold a majority ownership stake, paired with a renewed emphasis on "commercial discipline." The envisioned schedule could feature five Team Championships spread across five continents, complemented by five Signature Events aligned with the major championships. This format aims to balance global reach with high‑profile tournaments that attract both fans and sponsors.
Prominent players have voiced their perspectives on the unfolding situation. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking ahead of last week’s season finale, urged fans and stakeholders to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Similarly, Ian Poulter lamented the possibility that the league might not survive, calling it "a real shame" if that were to happen. Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was called off, declined to speculate on his own playing future.
In a pre‑tournament press conference he said, "I would expect there to be LIV next season. I know they've worked really hard to get the funding and stuff in place, so I know it's full steam ahead on that front." When asked about his personal schedule, Hatton replied, "To be honest, I haven't thought about that – I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year. I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf." The upcoming Husqvarna British Masters will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting Thursday at 12:30 pm.
Viewers can also stream the event without a contract via NOW, taking advantage of Sky Sports' latest deals. In summary, LIV Golf is navigating a period of significant upheaval.
The termination of PIF’s funding after 2026 has triggered a large‑scale staff reduction, and the league is actively seeking new capital partners to fund a reimagined version of the competition. While the exact staffing needs for LIV 2.0 remain undecided, the organization hopes to retain some of its existing talent and to launch a more sustainable, player‑centric model that can continue to challenge traditional golf structures. The next few months will be critical as negotiations progress, potential investors are evaluated, and the league works to reassure both its employees and its fan base that a viable future is still within reach.