LIV Golf Secures Lead Investor to Fund Post-2026 League

At a press briefing held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, league chief executive Scott O’Neil announced that LIV Golf has an agreement with a “lead” investor that will finance the circuit beyond the 2026 season. The investor was not identified, and O’Neil declined to disclose the amount of capital, though he indicated the league is seeking between $250 million and $300 million. The announcement follows the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s April 30 decision to end its multi-billion-dollar backing of the league after more than $5 billion had been spent over five seasons. Separate reporting by Bloomberg and the Financial Times linked the mystery backer to British investment firm BC Partners, but the league has not confirmed that detail.

GOLF Magazine

Under the proposed “LIV 2.0” model, players will become majority equity holders, a shift from the cash-heavy contracts of earlier seasons. O’Neil described this as “equity instead of cash,” giving golfers greater control over their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights and a share in league profits. The league also plans to return “some” NIL rights to players, though the exact formula remains undisclosed.

ESPN

The 2027 calendar is projected to feature ten events—five U.S. “signature” tournaments and five international “team majors” in locations such as Australia, South Africa, England, Hong Kong and Mexico. The previously scheduled New Orleans stop was cancelled, and the status of the season-ending team event in Michigan remains uncertain. A league source suggested that average player earnings for 2027 could match or exceed those on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, but no specific purse figures have been released.

ESPN

He noted that while some aspects of event delivery are within the league’s control, other factors are not, and the organization is working “tirelessly” to meet its commitments.

GOLF Magazine

• “LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the league's next era, driven by and for the players,” — Scott O'Neil, to league CEO

ESPN

• “This second bite at the apple is equity instead of cash,” — Scott O’Neil

GOLF Magazine

• “Would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey, because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game and I have a lot of time for that,” — Scott O’Neil

GOLF Magazine