LIV Golf will inform players Thursday that the tour is not funded in 2027 and beyond, according to The Wall Street Journal.
LIV denied two weeks ago that the tour was in trouble, when reports circulated that Saudi Arabia's Public investment Fund was pulling its funding — $5 billion since 2022 — moving forward. Though PIF did not announce anything, sources familiar with their 2027 budget said there was no line item for LIV Golf — an annual $1.5-billion expense.
My take: This doesn't mean the absolute end of the tour in 2027, but they can't continue under their current model without massive outside investment to cover the guaranteed player contracts, the $30 million tournament purses, and the costs associated with running tournaments. They have a four-year $1.6 billion television deal with TNT UK, and some sponsors, but they weren't making payroll for vendors and some players even with PIF and those sponsorships. Player feedback and response will be interesting. Funds to support the tour will need to come quick as players will have to secure positions on other tours soon, with 2027 in doubt.
THE ASYLUM
LIV coming clean?
LIV Golf will inform players Thursday that the tour is not funded in 2027 and beyond, according to The Wall Street Journal.
LIV denied two weeks ago that the tour was in trouble, when reports circulated that Saudi Arabia's Public investment Fund was pulling its funding — $5 billion since 2022 — moving forward. Though PIF did not announce anything, sources familiar with their 2027 budget said there was no line item for LIV Golf — an annual $1.5-billion expense.
My take: This doesn't mean the absolute end of the tour in 2027, but they can't continue under their current model without massive outside investment to cover the guaranteed player contracts, the $30 million tournament purses, and the costs associated with running tournaments. They have a four-year $1.6 billion television deal with TNT UK, and some sponsors, but they weren't making payroll for vendors and some players even with PIF and those sponsorships. Player feedback and response will be interesting. Funds to support the tour will need to come quick as players will have to secure positions on other tours soon, with 2027 in doubt.
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