LIV Golf Extends Player Deadline Amidst BC Partners Investment
The future of the LIV Golf league hangs in the balance as a new investment aims to pull it out of bankruptcy, with players now having until October 25 to commit.
LIV Golf has extended its deadline for players to commit to the league's future from October 13 to October 25. This decision comes as BC Partners has initiated an investment targeting $300 million, intended to help the circuit emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Previously, LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy in September. This followed the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the league's sole financier since its 2022 inception, withdrawing all financial support after the 2026 season. The Saudis had reportedly spent $5 billion on the league before ceasing funding.
The investment from BC Partners, made two days before hearings related to the league's bankruptcy filing are set to begin, requires bankruptcy court approval. If successful, LIV Golf plans to establish a 2027 season with a 10-tournament schedule, including international events.
"We want the players who make this league what it is to share in what they help build," said Ted Goldthorpe, partner and head of BC Partners Credit. "Giving players real and actionable ownership in the league and the teams is a unique opportunity in professional golf, and it aligns everyone around the long-term success of the product for the game and for the fans."
In August, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil stated the league would be "driven by and for the players," with those competing on the next iteration holding a majority of equity.
Notable players associated with LIV Golf include Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith, and Tyrrell Hatton. With LIV's bankruptcy and restructuring, players might be released from existing contracts, potentially opening opportunities elsewhere. The PGA Tour, however, has not provided a clear path for players who previously joined LIV.