LIV Golf has officially disclosed that it will be letting go of the bulk of its workforce starting next week, while negotiations continue to secure a sustainable future for the venture. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) announcement that its financial commitment will cease at the end of the 2026 season, leaving the league with no choice but to trim its personnel numbers regardless of whether any new investment deals are sealed. Earlier this week the organization sent a notice to what it described as "the majority of its workforce," informing them that their contracts under the current LIV 1.0 structure will terminate in the first week of September. This follows a prior warning issued in July that redundancies were a distinct possibility.
The message, delivered through a spokesperson speaking to Sky Sports, underscored the inevitability of the cuts: "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." The league, which once employed more than 300 staff members across the globe, has not yet determined the exact headcount needed for any future iteration of the competition. Nevertheless, it remains hopeful that a portion of the current team could be rehired if the new model—referred to as LIV 2.0—takes shape. "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 spokesperson added.
The abrupt end to the 2024 season added further pressure. The Team Championship slated for Michigan was cancelled, prompting the league to finish its schedule a week earlier than planned. At an event in Indianapolis, chief executive Scott O'Neil expressed optimism that fresh capital could be secured, allowing the organization to move forward despite the setbacks.
LIV Golf is reportedly in talks with a potential lead investor as well as several minority partners. However, the term sheet that would fund the next season remains non‑binding and has not been finalized. Among the proposals under discussion is a structure that would give the players a majority ownership stake and impose stricter commercial discipline.
The envisioned format could feature five Team Championships spread across five continents, complemented by five Signature Events aligned with the major championships. Player reactions have been mixed but largely supportive. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking ahead of the season finale, urged fans to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed the sentiment, calling it "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, refused to speculate on his own future but said he expected LIV to return next season.
"I would expect there to be LIV next season," Hatton told the press. "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 probed about his personal schedule, Hatton admitted he had not given it much thought, focusing instead on his remaining contractual obligations with LIV and the tournaments he still has to play this 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," he said. The league’s future hinges on whether the proposed investment structure can be agreed upon and whether the new commercial model will satisfy both players and sponsors. If successful, LIV 2.0 could emerge as a leaner, player‑centric organization with a global footprint that emphasizes disciplined financial management while still offering high‑profile events.
In the meantime, fans can continue to follow the remaining tournaments. The Husqvarna British Masters, now the headline event after the cancellation of the Team Championship, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
Viewers also have the option to stream Sky Sports without a contract via the NOW platform. Overall, LIV Golf stands at a crossroads: it must navigate the loss of its primary backer, restructure its workforce, and secure new capital—all while maintaining the confidence of its players and audience. The coming weeks will reveal whether the organization can successfully pivot to the promised LIV 2.0 era or if it will become another casualty of the volatile world of professional sports finance.