LIV Golf Files For Bankruptcy In US, Two Superstars Owed Millions

Interesting bryson dechambeau, golf, liv golf, rory mcilroy admin September 9, 2026 0 Comments

LIV Golf Files For Bankruptcy In US, Two Superstars Owed Millions

The pro golf league LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy in a New Jersey court Tuesday and will now begin mapping out the organization’s “next era.”

Many pro golf icons have competed at LIV Golf events throughout the years, a slew of whom are now owed millions, ESPN reported. The most prominent is golf superstar Jon Rahm, who is currently owed $7.5 million, while Bryson DeChambeau is owed $5.7 million, the outlet noted. LIV Golf revealed that the organization has between $100 million and $500 million in assets and between $500 million and $1 billion in liabilities.

Altogether, over 30 golfers are still owed large sums of money by the league.

While the league has gained traction overseas, it hasn’t become as popular as the PGA here in the States. As the restructuring phase commences, several major events, including two that were to take place in New Orleans and Michigan, have been canceled.

These changes follow the decision from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to stop funding the league this spring. The PIF has agreed to provide $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing to LIV, pending court approval, ESPN noted.

BC Partners Advisors, a New Jersey-based financial firm, will help the league in its restructuring so that operations can resume by 2027, according to a LIV Golf press release. LIV will also receive exit funding from BC Partners Credit and other minority investors.

“Now it is time to enter the next phase of LIV Golf,” CEO Scott O’Neil said in a letter to golf fans.

“Today, we took an important step forward to get there,” the letter continued.

“LIV Golf has entered a court-supervised restructuring process that provides us with the time and framework to address previous financial obligations and complete a transaction that will make the League’s next phase a reality. Put simply, this process is designed to build a stronger and more sustainable future for LIV Golf.”

LIV Golf is also seeking recognition from governing bodies in England and Wales so that overseas assets are adequately accounted for, the release said.

While O’Neil is optimistic, golf legend Rory McIlroy is wary regarding how many players will stay on board.

McIlroy told The Independent that he is hopeful for the future, although he noted that “I would predict that you will see some guys leave, as they are free to now as, I guess, contracts have been breached by them filing for bankruptcy.” (RELATED: Trump Interrupts His Speech To Give Shoutout To Rory McIlroy)

That said, the new goal for the league’s future appears to be a player-first ownership model.

“The next phase of LIV Golf will be built around a sustainable business model and deeper alignment between players and the League, with team golf at its core,” O’Neil wrote.

“Players will have the opportunity to share directly in the value they help create, while teams will be positioned to grow into enduring global sports businesses. And fans will remain at the center of everything we do.”

In any case, LIV Golf faces a substantial number of lawsuits from an array of vendors who claim they have not been paid — including the state of Louisiana, for roughly $1.2 million.

President Donald Trump has been one of the league’s most vocal proponents, frequently urging PGA Tour players to join the breakaway league while praising its financial backers. Beyond vocal advocacy, he repeatedly hosted marquee LIV events across his properties and personally played in the league’s pro-am events.