LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its employees starting next week, as negotiations continue to secure the organization’s long‑term viability. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) declaration that its financial support will cease after the close of the 2026 season, forcing the league to downsize its workforce irrespective of whether any new investment deals are concluded.
According to a company memo delivered this week, the majority of the people who have been working under the current LIV 1.0 structure will see their contracts terminate in the first week of September. This follows an earlier warning in July that redundancies were a distinct possibility. The league, which once employed more than 300 staff members across the globe, has not yet determined the exact staffing requirements for any future incarnation of the brand, but it remains hopeful that a portion of the team could be rehired should a revamped version, often referred to as LIV 2.0, come to fruition.
"The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion," a LIV spokesperson told Sky Sports. "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 spokesperson continued, "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 at a time when the league’s season wrapped up a week ahead of schedule 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 and that the organization could move forward, but he also acknowledged the uncertainty that looms over the future.
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 been described as non‑binding and is still under negotiation. Among the proposals being discussed is a model in which the players would 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 that would sit alongside the traditional majors.
Prominent players have weighed in on the situation. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking before the season finale, urged fans and stakeholders to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed similar sentiments, describing it would be "a real shame" if the league were unable to continue. Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was called off, refused to speculate about his own playing future. In his 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 pressed 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 broader implications of the staff cuts are significant. Reducing a workforce that once numbered over three hundred people will affect not only the individuals directly employed but also the ancillary services that support the league—marketing agencies, event staff, logistics partners, and media crews.
The league has pledged to provide transition assistance, though the specifics of severance packages, outplacement services, or continued health benefits have not been disclosed. From a business perspective, the withdrawal of PIF funding marks a turning point for LIV Golf.
The league was launched with the backing of Saudi sovereign wealth, positioning itself as a challenger to the traditional golf establishment. Without that financial cushion, the organization must demonstrate a sustainable revenue model, whether through broadcast rights, sponsorship deals, ticket sales, or a player‑owned equity structure.
Industry observers note that the timing of the staff reductions—just weeks before the start of the 2027 season—could complicate any attempts to launch a new schedule. Organizing international team events across multiple continents demands a sizable operational team, from venue coordination to player liaison and media production. If the league proceeds with a leaner staff, it may need to outsource more functions or rely heavily on partnerships with existing golf bodies. Fans of the sport are also left with questions.
The cancellation of the Michigan Team Championship and the early conclusion of the season have already disrupted the competitive calendar. Viewers who follow LIV Golf on Sky Sports or streaming platforms may see fewer live events, at least until the new structure is solidified. The league has encouraged audiences to continue streaming golf and other sports without a contract, pointing them toward services like NOW, but the long‑term broadcast strategy remains uncertain. In summary, LIV Golf is undergoing a major restructuring as it prepares to transition from its original incarnation to a potentially player‑centric, financially disciplined version known as LIV 2.0.
The immediate impact includes the termination of most staff contracts in early September, a pause in the league’s growth trajectory, and ongoing negotiations with prospective investors. While the future is not yet set in stone, the organization’s leadership remains hopeful that a new funding arrangement will emerge, allowing the league to resume operations, retain some of its talent pool, and continue to challenge the status quo in professional golf.