LIV Golf faces shutdown as $300m rescue deal collapses and stars walk away

BC Partners has abandoned plans to relaunch the breakaway league in 2027 after failing to secure commitments from several of golf's biggest names, leaving LIV facing a potential wind-down following five years of competition.

LIV Golf's future is hanging in the balance after its proposed $300 million rescue deal reportedly collapsed, leaving the breakaway league facing the prospect of winding down operations.

BC Partners Credit has abandoned plans to invest in a revamped LIV Golf 2.0, according to the Financial Times, dealing another significant blow to the organisation's hopes of continuing beyond 2026.

The investment was dependent on LIV securing commitments from enough players to make a new tournament series commercially viable, but that target was ultimately missed.

According to Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter, several of the league's biggest names failed to sign contractual commitments, including Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann and Dustin Johnson.

"None of the big names signed. Dustin Johnson, Cam Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Bryson DeChambeau," Carpenter posted.

LIV had been working towards a deadline set by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), its majority shareholder, to secure the required number of players and trigger BC Partners' proposed $300 million investment.

That deadline was reportedly extended several times, having initially been set for mid-October before moving to October 25 and eventually being pushed back to last Friday.

Despite some players confirming their intention to return, including Richard Bland and Ben Campbell, LIV ultimately failed to secure enough of its leading attractions to make the proposed relaunch viable.

The Athletic has reported that the league will now pivot towards a wind-down, citing multiple sources briefed on the situation. BC Partners reportedly believes it has run out of time to make LIV 2.0 work.

The situation has been made worse by a growing exodus of established players. Jon Rahm's departure was confirmed during bankruptcy proceedings in New Jersey, with Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin also leaving his Legion XIII team.

LIV has received up to $5 billion in backing from PIF since its investment operation was established in 2021, yet its spending has continued to outweigh its commercial progress. Its UK entity, responsible for operating international tournaments, reportedly recorded losses exceeding $460 million in 2024.

O'Neil also acknowledged earlier this year that LIV remained between five and 10 years away from profitability.

With BC Partners now reportedly withdrawing its proposed investment, the immediate question is what happens next to LIV's players, broadcasters, employees and commercial partners.

Brooks Koepka has already returned to the PGA Tour, while Patrick Reed is expected to rejoin at the end of the year. Other players may explore opportunities through the DP World Tour and the International Series.

However, there is no straightforward route back to the PGA Tour for some of LIV's biggest remaining names, including DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith.

Another bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, with the proceedings potentially providing further clarity on the league's future.

After spending billions attempting to reshape professional golf, LIV now faces the prospect of bringing its five-year experiment to an end.

2 posted on 11/04/2026 3:06:17 PM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. )

Getting involved in something with muslims was a bad idea for all those money-motivated golfers who are now going to pay big time for their greed. Glad it’s failed.

I've been a golfer my whole life. I was probably between 5 and 8 the first time my Dad took me along. However I never watched golf much on TV until maybe 8 to 10 years ago.

I kind of like some of the differences that LIV has compared to good old PGA. And I like several of the players. Many complain about the Saudi money but I'd submit many / most professional sports run with questionable funding, questionable people, and probably always has.

4 posted on 11/04/2026 4:00:33 PM PST by WhoisAlanGreenspan? (With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see)

LIV Golf is finished. Where this leaves DeChambeau and Mickelson and the other players remains to be seen. Rahm and Oustenhuizen have already bailed.

5 posted on 11/04/2026 4:53:10 PM PST by Rummyfan (In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support lthe civilized man.)

However, there is no straightforward route back to the PGA Tour for some of LIV's biggest remaining names, including DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith.

If the PGA thinks that those folks will bring in viewers, they will accept the Devil back in, in not, they will not take back what they think will cause lost eyeballs.

It's all about the bucks, and I'm OK with that.

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