Adam Minter, Columnist

LIV Golf Shows Money Can Buy Stars — But Not Fans

April 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM UTC

Adam Minter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering the business of sports. He is the author, most recently, of “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale."

Not exactly a hole-in-one.
Photographer: Hector Vivas/Getty Images South America

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LIV Golf’s existence has always depended on one thing: Saudi Arabia’s willingness to pay for it. Since 2021, the league has operated as if it had a blank check, buying up stars to play at lavish global events. Total spending has exceeded $5 billion.

That largesse is now in question. Last week, there were reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was reconsidering the investment. LIV’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, told TNT Sports over the weekend that the league is funded through the 2026 season, revealing the precarious situation. Previously, he told players it was funded at least through 2032.