BEDMINSTER, NJ — As first reported here in Pro Golf Weekly, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil confirmed Wednesday that the league has secured a lead investor, revealing that a signed term sheet approved by LIV Golf’s board will provide the financial backing needed to carry the circuit into 2027 and beyond.
🚨JUST IN: Multiple sources: LIV Golf closing in on a major Private Equity investment.
Deal is in final due diligence stage to secure 2027 and beyond for the PGA TOUR rival.
Announcement could come around LIV’s next event at Trump National Bedminster. Developing…— Jeff Smith (@JeffSmithGolf) July 29, 2026
Speaking ahead of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, O’Neil called the development a pivotal moment for the four-year-old league, which has spent months facing uncertainty over its long-term future.
“We’re very fortunate that a lead investor has signed a term sheet approved by our board, which will carry and fund LIV going forward,” O’Neil said. “It’s very good news for us.”
While declining to identify the investor or disclose financial terms, O’Neil confirmed both sides have agreed in principle and said the league is now focused on completing the definitive agreement within an undisclosed timetable.
The announcement represents the clearest indication yet that LIV Golf expects to continue beyond the current season after months of speculation about its financial future.
Asked directly whether a completed deal would guarantee a 2027 schedule, O’Neil left little doubt.
“And ’28 and ’29 and ’30.”
O’Neil informed players of the development Tuesday, saying the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“We have tremendous support [from the players],” he said. “Tremendous. And I really appreciate that.”
In a players-only meeting, reportedly led by LIV superstar Bryson DeChambeau, players were briefed on the new equity structure, vesting schedules and the return of certain name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. Rather than additional guaranteed cash, he described the new model as offering players “a second bite at the apple” through ownership equity.
O’Neil emphasized that LIV Golf will remain majority-owned by its players, calling it a first in professional sports.
“The chance to get to steward a league where it’s majority owned by players, which has never been done before in the history of sports, is more than special,” O’Neil said.
Although the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has financed LIV Golf since its launch, O’Neil credited PIF for allowing the league time to seek outside capital. He declined to discuss whether PIF would continue investing or address questions regarding the league’s long-term financial structure, instead saying the organization is focused on maintaining “optionality” as the transaction progresses.
O’Neil also declined to reveal the investor’s identity, saying only that it is “an investor of weight” and that additional investors could join later, although they are not required to complete the deal.
Looking beyond the financing, O’Neil said LIV Golf’s next phase will focus less on competing against the traditional golf ecosystem and more on cooperating with it.
“We really are doubling down on this whole notion of complete not compete,” he said, adding that the league hopes to create additional pathways for players while entering “an era of cooperation” with other tours.
He also expressed confidence that the investment will help LIV retain stars such as DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
“They’re [DeChambeau and Rahm] not only two of the biggest, best golfers on the planet, but I think they’re some of the biggest stars in sports, let alone golf,” said O’Neil.
“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.
“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.”
O’Neil then pointed out how LIV’s global footprint creates stars in every market it visits, such as Dean Burmester in South Africa and Cam Smith in Australia.
“We’ve been blessed with stars,” said O’Neil. “I define it a little bit differently, and for those of you who have had the privilege and pleasure to travel with us around the world, you get to see it.
“But I don’t think there was any bigger star on the planet in South Africa than Dean Burmester. And I don’t think there was any bigger star on the planet than Cam Smith when we were in Australia.
“I think when you have a global game and you have 57 players from 21 countries and you’re playing in 10 countries on five continents, how you define stars gets really interesting.”
The league has yet to finalize plans for its season-ending Team Championship in Michigan, with O’Neil saying an announcement is expected in the coming weeks as LIV continues working through remaining operational decisions.
‼️Truly groundbreaking insight from PGA TOUR ON CBS and Johnson Wagner: “LIV GOLF will crumble in August and be done.”
Nothing quite like impartial analysis from the Tour’s top broadcast partner, armed w cherry-picked data and doomsday assumptions.
📢 Fake news propaganda! pic.twitter.com/0aVslfLUAs— Jeff Smith (@JeffSmithGolf) July 1, 2026
For a league that has spent much of 2026 fending off an historic media smear campaign, Wednesday’s announcement marked a dramatic shift in tone. While the definitive agreement remains unsigned, O’Neil made clear he believes LIV Golf’s future now extends well beyond next season.
