LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy After Saudi Funding Pulled
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. The move follows Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund pulling its backing after the 2026 season.
- $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing came from the PIF, subject to court approval.
- Jon Rahm is listed as the largest player creditor, with a claim of $7.47 million.
- Bryson DeChambeau ($5.76M), Dustin Johnson ($5.48M), and Cameron Smith ($4.85M) also top the creditor list.
- PIF reportedly spent more than $5 billion founding and operating LIV since 2022.
Why it matters: Bankruptcy protection is expected to allow players to exit contracts regardless of remaining term. Rahm and Hatton were contracted through 2028.
- A PGA Tour return would require a 12-month suspension from a player's last LIV start.
- LIV had pre-filed settlement offers to players on their contracts, according to prior reporting.
How 21 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether LIV can retain enough star players to make a 2027 relaunch viable remains unresolved and contested.
Center coverage, 13 sources: The center focuses on the practical consequences for players — contract uncertainty, potential free agency, and what the restructuring means for marquee names.
USA Today2hLIV Golf owes its top players $64 million. Will they ever get paid?
Forbes1hLIV Golf Declares Bankruptcy—These Top Players Are Owed Millions
Axios3hSaudi-backed LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection
BBC News4hLIV players free to leave after bankruptcy protection filing
CNBC3hLIV GOLF BANKRUPT...CNCTV News2hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection as it tries to survive in a smaller version
ESPN2hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection, enters 'next stage' - ESPN
Financial Times3hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy with at least $500mn in liabilitiesKAKXAN Austin2hLIV Golf could soon be majority player-owned as organization files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Reuters1hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy with stars owed millions
Sky News3hBreakaway league LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protectionWYWKBN Youngstown2hLIV Golf could soon be majority player-owned as organization files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyLeft coverage, 4 sources: The left frames LIV's collapse as the failure of a Saudi sportswashing project that tried and fell short of displacing American golf's institutions.
Right coverage, 4 sources: The right emphasizes the drama of defection and return, centering on whether PGA Tour exiles like Rahm can find a path back to the tour they left.
Daily Mail3hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy after Saudi backers pulled funding as PGA defectors eye road back to Tour
New York Post2hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy as it moves toward a 'more sustainable future'
Newsmax3hLIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy as Saudi Era Comes to an End
The Washington Times2hLIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection as it tries to survive in a smaller versionWhat’s next: BC Partners and minority investors will provide exit financing once bankruptcy proceedings conclude.
- The restructured tour targets 10 events in 2027, down from 14 this season.
- Player contract fates, including Rahm's, will be determined by the bankruptcy court judge.
- How much of Rahm's reported nine-figure deal structure will be honored under bankruptcy proceedings?
- Will BC Partners' financing satisfy a court and be enough to fund a credible 2027 season?
- Which players will sign on to a player-equity model rather than the large upfront cash contracts LIV originally offered?