LIV Golf begins laying off employees while downsizing to restructure without Saudi funding
PUBLISHED Aug 27, 2026, 3:41 AM ET
LIV Golf has initiated workforce reductions scheduled for early September following the conclusion of financial support from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The league informed staff of job cuts after completing its fifth season in Indianapolis one week ahead of schedule. Under Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf is scaling down operational scope while seeking a replacement lead investor, reportedly private equity firm BC Partners, to support a proposed 10-event calendar for "LIV 2.0." The league previously filed a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act in July indicating potential staff cuts. PIF shifted capital allocation priorities following geopolitical instability involving Iran. Former PGA Tour player Brooks Koepka departed LIV under financial penalties at the end of 2025, while remaining high-profile golfers including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton remain under contract despite lingering legal disputes from unpaid vendor claims.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
- 31
- Right Leaning:
- 5
- Left Leaning:
- 5
- Neutral:
- 21
- Distribution:
- Left 16%, Center 68%, Right 16%
Left: Highlighted failed Saudi sportswashing attempt and corporate financial instability. Center: Focused on business restructuring, private equity acquisition, and layoffs. Right: Emphasized geopolitical causes like Middle East instability affecting investments.
Official statement by LIV Golf confirming layoffs and PIF exit. https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/41005891/liv-golf-layoffs-saudi-pif-restructuring
Coverage of Story:
From Left
LIV Golf lays off staff after Saudi wealth fund ends financial backing
The Guardian Washington Post Los Angeles Times Politico The IndependentFrom Center
LIV Golf begins laying off employees while downsizing to restructure without Saudi funding
DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press Reuters ESPN Golf Digest Bloomberg Golfweek The Financial Times BBC Sport Sports Business Journal NBC Sports CBS Sports USA Today Sky Sports Golf Channel Forbes The Athletic Yahoo Sports Sports Illustrated Front Office Sports Awful AnnouncingFrom Right
Saudi Arabia Pulls Plug on LIV Golf Funding, Prompting Layoffs
Wall Street Journal The Daily Telegraph New York Post Fox News OutKick
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