LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its workforce starting next week, while negotiations continue to secure a sustainable path forward for the organization. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) choice to cease its financial backing after the close of the 2026 season, leaving the league with no choice but to trim its headcount regardless of whether any new investment deals are sealed. According to an internal memo circulated this week, the majority of employees who were hired under the original "LIV 1.0" structure will see their contracts end in the first week of September.
The communication comes after earlier warnings in July that redundancies were a real possibility. At its peak, LIV Golf employed more than 300 staff members across the globe; the current plan could see that number fall dramatically, though the league has hinted that a portion of the workforce might be recalled if a revamped version of the competition—dubbed "LIV 2.0"—gets off the ground. A spokesperson for LIV Golf 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 capital could be secured, allowing the organization to move forward. O'Neil indicated that discussions are ongoing with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors. However, the term sheet that would fund the next season remains non‑binding and has not yet been finalized.
Proposed structures for the future iteration of the league include a model in which the players hold a majority ownership stake and the organization adopts a stricter "commercial discipline" approach. Under this vision, LIV would host five Team Championships spread across five continents, complemented by five Signature Events that would align with the traditional majors. Such a format aims to preserve the global, team‑oriented flavor of the current product while addressing concerns about financial sustainability.
Several high‑profile players have weighed in on the uncertainty. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking before last week's season finale, urged fans and stakeholders to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed a similar sentiment, calling it "a real shame" if the league were forced to shut down.
Their comments highlight the personal stakes for many golfers who have signed multi‑year contracts with LIV and have built their competitive schedules around its events. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was called off, declined to speculate on his own future with the league. 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 own 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 broader golf community is watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast LIV events, and fans can stream coverage without a contract via NOW.
The league’s future hinges on whether it can lock in new capital, restructure its business model, and convince players, sponsors, and broadcasters that a sustainable path exists. Until those pieces fall into place, the current workforce faces a period of uncertainty, and the sport’s landscape remains in flux. In summary, LIV Golf is entering a transitional phase marked by significant staff reductions, ongoing investment talks, and strategic planning for a possible "LIV 2.0" incarnation.
The organization has expressed gratitude to its departing employees and pledged support during the transition, while also signaling hope that a reimagined league could soon emerge, potentially featuring a leaner operational structure, player‑led ownership, and a globally diverse tournament calendar.