LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has announced that an agreement has been reached with a lead investor that will carry and fund the league as it transitions into its next era starting in 2027.
A term sheet has been signed and approved by the LIV Golf board, with a goal of completing the transaction in September.
“This is a moment that we’re very happy about, that we’re thrilled to announce, that we’re proud to be a part of,” O’Neil said on the eve of Thursday’s opening round of LIV Golf New York. “It’s certainly an investor of weight, and we’re all locked in on making it happen.”
Details of the deal, including financial terms, investor identity and specific deadline for finalising the deal, remain private for now. But with a lead investor in place, O’Neil noted that more than a dozen additional parties have shown “strong interest” in serving as minority investors. “We don’t need them, but we have the opportunity to do it,” he said.
Asked to confirm that the 2027 season will be played once the lead investor agreement is finalised, O’Neil responded with an affirmative, then added: “And ’28 and ’29 and ’30.”
The league is understood to be focused on staging a 10-tournament schedule that will include five team majors around the world and five signature events, including a number of events throughout the US.
In addition, O’Neil confirmed that LIV Golf will provide players the opportunity to become majority equity holders of the league, which launched in 2022, and is entering the final stretch of its fifth season.
O’Neill said that the league was looking to move to an “era of free agency” in which LIV would “work together” with other tours.
“I would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game and I have a lot of time for that,” O’Neil said. “I think we have enough support from enough players, and we have such an interesting format and global format, I think we’ll do quite well in getting the right stars for this game.”
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund confirmed in April that it would end its funding for LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. The sovereign wealth fund is estimated to have invested over $5 billion in the league since its launch in 2022.