LIV Golf is facing a staggering financial crisis, reporting an eye-watering $461.8 million loss for 2024. This latest setback pushes the league’s total losses to a jaw-dropping $1.1 billion since its inception in 2021. The accounts, recently filed with UK regulators, starkly reveal that the Saudi-backed golf league remains heavily dependent on the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to stay afloat. This sovereign wealth fund has pledged to absorb the mounting debts, even as auditors raise serious concerns about the league’s uncertain future.
The financial woes of LIV Golf have escalated dramatically year after year. After incurring a loss of $243 million during its initial 18 months, the figures ballooned to $395 million in 2023 and now nearly half a billion in 2024. It’s important to note that these staggering sums only represent the UK operations and do not account for the league’s substantial expenditures in the United States.
To sustain this ambitious venture, LIV Golf Investments has amassed nearly $5 billion through share sales, enabling it to support high-profile tournaments across the globe—from the United States to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This financial influx has been crucial in attracting elite talent, including the likes of Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson. Under the leadership of PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, LIV has also secured numerous sponsorship and broadcasting partnerships, adding prominent names like Fox Sports, HSBC, and Salesforce to its roster. The league recently underwent a leadership change, with Scott O’Neil stepping in as CEO, succeeding Greg Norman.
As the league grapples with financial challenges, whispers of player transfers to LIV Golf are intensifying, particularly with the prospect of significant roster changes looming for 2026. Golf enthusiasts are buzzing with speculation, especially after reports surfaced from the golf social media outlet Flushing It just prior to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage. Although no player signings have been officially confirmed, sources indicate that several of LIV’s 14 teams are actively pursuing new talent, potentially opening up at least six roster spots.
In a notable shift in strategy, LIV Golf has also altered its financial approach regarding player recruitment. Earlier this year, it was reported that the lavish signing bonuses that once attracted big-name players are no longer on the table. The era of mega-deals—where players like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson secured contracts around $200 million and Jon Rahm landed a record-breaking $300 million—appears to be a thing of the past.
Despite these changes, LIV Golf remains an alluring prospect for many players. The league continues to offer impressive $25 million prize pools for each event, with $4 million designated for individual winners, alongside a global competition schedule. These enticing factors keep LIV at the forefront of discussions for players contemplating their futures outside the traditional PGA Tour and DP World Tour. With the stakes ever higher and the financial landscape shifting, the battle for golf supremacy is far from over.
