A general view of LIV Golf signage during the third day at LIV Michigan at Cardinal of St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan on August 24, 2025.
Michael Miller | ISI Photos | getty images
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will stop funding the LIV Golf League after the 2026 season, leaving the controversial golf venture in limbo, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC’s Sarah Eisen.
The league, established in 2021, was positioned as a rival to the PGA Tour and has attracted high-profile athletes. In 2023, it agreed to merge with the PGA Tour, but the deal has not yet been completed.
A committee of independent directors will evaluate strategic options for the league after the PIF withdraws its funding, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the matter is internal.
LIV declined to comment.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neill hinted at the idea that the PIF could pull its funding. broadcast interview From a LIV tournament in Mexico City earlier this month.
“The reality is you get funded during the season and then you work like crazy to build a business and create a business plan to keep us going,” O’Neill said. “But it’s no different than any other private equity-funded business in human history.”
LIV’s non-US operations reported losses of about $600 million in 2024. In 2025, LIV announced new broadcast partnerships with FOX, IVT, DAZN and KC Global Media LIV, but TV ratings declined. Lag behind the more established PGA Tour.
According to a league spokesperson, LIV Golf is on pace to generate $100 million more in year-over-year revenue during the 2026 season than last season, as it has signed partnership agreements with brands including Rolex, HSBC and Salesforce.
Still, the league will need to find investors who believe there is a future beyond this season when the contracts of two of LIV’s biggest stars – Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm – are about to expire. DeChambeau’s deal with LIV expires at the end of this season. Rahm is signed until 2027.
Earlier this week, LIV postponed a scheduled tournament in New Orleans in late June as it seeks new funding.
