LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil Reveals Talks With 23 Prospective Investors Amid Funding Push
Joburg Open LIV Golf CEO Scott ONeill on the stage during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. 16/03/2025. Picture Steven Flynn / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Steven Flynn Copyright: xStevenxFlynnx *EDI*
Joburg Open LIV Golf CEO Scott ONeill on the stage during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. 16/03/2025. Picture Steven Flynn / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Steven Flynn Copyright: xStevenxFlynnx *EDI*
LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has met with five prospective investors and is set to meet 18 more as the league seeks $300 million in funding ahead of the PIF's planned exit.
On April 30, the PIF announced that it would withdraw funding for LIV starting next season. Following that, O’Neil has been actively seeking investment from new, long-term investors.
“There seems to be an expression of interest on the family office side in the $50 million dollar range and the private equity firms are looking at a one take all,” O’Neil said on CNBC’s “Halftime Report.”
O’Neil has already met with five prospective investors and has reportedly pitched the reduced 10-event schedule to them. In the coming week, he is set to meet with 18 other investors.
The league is pivoting to a diversified, multi-partner investment model. The new $300 million investment could well be broken up into smaller $50 million amounts from different investors.
“I spoke to [Rahm] through text quite a few times. We were back and forth again this morning. This is different, and I know it’s hard for others in the golf industry to understand, but this is a group that is committed to their teams. They’re committed to the league, and they’re committed to this program,” O’Neil said.
Two-time major winner Bryson DeChambeau has joined O'Neil in the pitching process, while Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia have also expressed confidence in LIV Golf's future.
With guidance from Ducera Partners, the league is emphasizing the market value of its 13 teams as it seeks the target investment.
“What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come and invest in this business,” he added.
Scott O’Neil On Trusting The PIF
"I can say they've been terrific partners so far, and you have to take an incredible organization like PIF at their word," O'Neil said. "They've been very public about funding us through the season, so we are full steam ahead."
Earlier, the PIF said its investment in LIV was “no longer consistent with the current phase” of its strategy, despite investing more than $5 billion into the league without seeing the expected returns.
LIV Golf's 2026 season has only four events remaining. O'Neil remains confident about the league's immediate future and expects a smooth transition to new investors after the PIF's exit.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav