LIV Golf’s long-term future has always come with big questions, especially around money. Now, new comments from Scott O’Neil have sparked fresh debate, with the LIV Golf CEO admitting the league could take another 5 to 10 years before it finally becomes profitable.
Speaking in a report by the Financial Times, O’Neil acknowledged the tour has suffered heavy losses despite billions in backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. LIV’s UK arm alone has reportedly lost more than $1 billion between 2022 and 2024, while the league posted a $461.8 million loss in 2024, even as revenue grew sharply.
O’Neil said part of the plan to turn things around includes selling stakes in LIV’s 13 teams, with Citi brought in to help find potential buyers. The aim is to strike deals valuing teams at around $1 billion. LIV has also signed new commercial partnerships worth roughly $500 million.
When the news was shared by NUCLR Golf on X, fans were quick to weigh in. One user wrote:
“It’s over.”
Another defended O’Neil’s long-term view, pointing to his background running the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers:
“no one in these comments realize how long it took the NBA to become profitable. or any major sports League lol🤡”
Others were far less optimistic. One fan commented:
“And this is why LIV is done. Saudis understood that they would lose money at the beginning. Any new business starts out in the red. But they’ve poured billions into LIV and no light at the end of the tunnel. These are business people and even they want to see a return on investment at some point. Saudis won’t wait forever.”
Another pointed to recent exits from the league:
“Sounds like the well is starting to run dry. Clearly Brooks saw it.”
One more added bluntly:
“It will never turn a profit Scott. No one is going to buy into the teams either”
The comments come as LIV Golf enters a new phase, having recently secured OWGR points for the first time, though with limits.
LIV Golf is unhappy with how OWGR points will be handed out
LIV Golf has finally been included in the Official World Golf Ranking system, but the league is not pleased with how limited the points will be.
The OWGR confirmed this week that LIV events will start offering ranking points as the tour begins its 2026 season. It marked the first time the Saudi-backed league has been recognised by the world ranking body after years of pushback.
However, the relief didn’t last long. Only the top 10 finishers in each LIV tournament will receive OWGR points, even though fields now include 57 players. On every other recognised men’s tour, players who make the cut are eligible to earn points.
LIV Golf responded by calling the decision unfair and unlike anything seen before in the ranking system. The league said a player finishing 11th will now be treated the same as someone finishing last, which it believes punishes consistent performances and hurts players trying to climb the rankings.
OWGR officials explained the limits were put in place because LIV still falls short of some eligibility standards, even after moving to 72 hole events and expanding its fields.
While LIV Golf finally has a place in the rankings, the structure of the points system has left the league clearly frustrated.
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