Report LIV Golf will no longer be financially backed by Saudi PIF past 2026 season, confirms Fox News principal political anchor Bret Baier.
Fox News principal political anchor Bret Baier has verified LIV Golf’s fiscal backing from the Public Investment Fund( PIF) will come to an end after the 2026 season, delivering the clearest suggestion yet that the Saudi- funded breakaway league faces an uncertain future beyond coming time.
Baier, citing two sources with direct knowledge of the situation, revealed that while the PIF will continue to fund LIV Golf through the remainder of the 2026 crusade, its long- term fiscal commitment is set to be withdrawn as part of a broader shift in precedences. The backing through 2026 is anticipated to cover all major functional aspects of the league, including player contracts, TV agreements and event staging.
“ Breaking tonight within the last hour the LIV Golf stint is in serious trouble tonight. The Saudis want out — ultimately,” verified Baier on his rearmost report for Fox News.
“ Two sources who know the inner workings of the decision tell me the Saudis will fund LIV Golf events thru the end of the season. That means the contracts, television deals, the event venues renaming will all be funded.
“ Other opinions about mellowing LIV or incorporating it with other tenures will follow that. But sources say the Saudis backing will surely come to an end at the end of this LIV season, citing a change of precedences. ”
The stunning development follows a surge of reports before on Wednesday suggesting the PIF — extensively regarded as one of the most important autonomous wealth finances in the world, with an estimated$ 1.1 trillion in means under operation — was formerly redefining its investment in LIV Golf after committing further than$ 5 billion to the design since its launch in 2022.
Last time it was reported that LIV’s net losses in its transnational requests outside the US had surged to$ 461.8 million in 2024, taking total losses to further than$ 1.1 billion since the league teed off.
It’s understood income from broadcast rights was reported at just$ 2.7 million.
LIV principal superintendent Scott O’Neil stated before this season that the league was doubtful to come profitable for another five to 10 times.
But after moment’s stunner news, it now remains to be seen whether the league gets the occasion to do just that.
farther enterprises girding the league’s fiscal health were raised Wednesday by Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard, who reported “ some players and merchandisers ” have n’t been paid in recent weeks, adding to growing query behind the scenes at LIV Golf.
ESPN’s Trey Wingo considers an indeed bigger reason for PIF wanting to pull the draw on LIV Golf is a result of the geopolitical climate Saudi Arabia presently finds itself in.
Scroll down to see Wingo had to say.
LIV Golf CEO remains recalcitrant
Despite mounting enterprise LIV’s future is in peril, O’Neil has sought to assure players and staff in a communication transferred ahead of this week’s event in Mexico.
In an dispatch attained by ESPN, the LIV Golf CEO has claimed the league’s 2026 season remains forcefully on track and innocent by the external noise.
“ I want to be crystal clear clear Our season continues exactly as planned, continued and at full throttle, ” O’Neil wrote.
“ While the media geography is frequently filled with enterprise, our reality is defined by the work we do on the lawn. We’re heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organisation that’s bigger, louder, and more influential than ever ahead. ”
specially, still, O’Neil’s communication did n’t directly address the reports girding the PIF’s long- term plans or clarify whether LIV Golf would continue beyond the 2026 season, leaving crucial questions unanswered.
Scroll below to read O’Neil’s dispatch.
dispatch to LIV players( attained by ESPN)
LIV Golf, which launched in 2022 as a disruptive force in professional golf, is presently midway through its fifth season and is carrying an event this week at Club de Golf Chapultepec near Mexico City.
The league is also listed to host its first U.S. event of the season from 7- 10 May at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
While the league appears financially secure in the short term, Baier’s report for Fox News suggests that significant opinions lie ahead.
Whether that results in a junction with the DP World Tour, a restructuring of the league or the end of LIV Golf as it presently exists remains to be seen.
One thing is now for certain, at least according to Fox News, and that’s the PIF is stepping down at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
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