LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its workforce starting next week, as negotiations continue to secure the organisation's long‑term viability. The Saudi‑backed Public Investment Fund (PIF) has decided to cease its financial support after the close of the 2026 season, leaving the league with no choice but to shrink its employee base, even if a new investment deal is eventually signed.
According to an internal memo distributed this week, the majority of the people employed under the current "LIV 1.0" structure will see their contracts terminated in early September. Staff had previously been warned in July that redundancies were a possibility, and the latest notice confirms that the cut‑backs are now imminent.
The league, which once employed more than 300 people around the world, has not yet determined the exact staffing requirements for any future incarnation of the competition. Management remains hopeful that, should a revamped version – often referred to as "LIV 2.0" – materialise, a portion of the displaced employees could be rehired. 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 announcement comes on the heels of the league's season ending a week early 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, allowing the organisation to move forward despite the funding gap.
LIV Golf is reportedly in talks with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors. The term sheet that would fund the next season has so far been non‑binding and remains under negotiation. Proposals under discussion include a model in which the players hold a majority ownership stake and the league adopts a stricter "commercial discipline" framework. The envisioned schedule could feature five Team Championships spread across five continents, complemented by five Signature Events aligned with the major championships.
Prominent players have voiced their perspectives on the situation. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking before last week's season finale, urged fans to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter lamented that it would be "a real shame" if the league were forced to fold.
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was called off, declined to comment on his personal 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 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 league's future remains uncertain, but several strategic avenues are being explored.
One possibility is a player‑led ownership structure that could attract investors seeking a more sustainable, revenue‑driven model. Another option involves diversifying the competition calendar to include events on multiple continents, thereby increasing global exposure and potential sponsorship opportunities. In addition to the staffing cuts, LIV Golf is also working to maintain its broadcast relationships.
Sky Sports continues to air live coverage of events such as the Husqvarna British Masters, with four rounds scheduled to be shown exclusively on the network. Viewers can also stream matches without a contract via the NOW platform, providing additional flexibility for fans.
Overall, while the immediate outlook includes a painful reduction in personnel, the organisation is actively pursuing new financing arrangements and structural reforms. The aim is to emerge with a leaner, more financially disciplined entity that can continue to challenge traditional golf tours and offer players alternative competition formats. The coming weeks will be critical as negotiations with potential investors progress and as LIV Golf finalises the blueprint for its next iteration, tentatively dubbed LIV 2.0.