​LIV Golf informed employees on Wednesday morning that the organization could be facing layoffs as uncertainty about the league’s future grows, according to multiple reports. The league is filing Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices in the United States. A WARN notice is a legal requirement, not a definitive announcement of job cuts, but it signals that a potential workforce reduction could be on the horizon. The law generally requires businesses with more than 100 employees to provide 60 days’ advance notice of potential mass layoffs or plant closures. Similar layoff notification requirements exist in the United Kingdom as well.
The action comes as LIV searches for external capital after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund halted ongoing financial support, a move that followed a broader investment estimated to be between $5 billion and $8 billion. Last month, LIV leadership began pitching prospective financiers, seeking between $250 million and $350 million to sustain operations. The league has projected profitability within three years, though questions remain about whether it can complete its planned 2026 season. LIV has already postponed one event this year, citing summer heat and the World Cup. In an appearance on CNBC last month, CEO Scott O’Neil was asked whether he could guarantee that the league’s remaining events would be played. He replied, “What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come invest in this business.”
In late April, LIV established an independent board of directors charged with helping secure long-term financial partners. This move followed Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF and the architect of LIV Golf, stepping down as chairman of the league’s board. In a statement provided to several outlets, a LIV spokesperson said there were “no changes to LIV Golf’s current workforce, operations, or schedule at this time.” The spokesperson added, “As our process to identify strategic investors moves forward in a positive direction, and as part of responsible planning for a range of possible outcomes, we have notified employees in the United States and United Kingdom of potential future actions related to the League’s corporate workforce. This step is being taken in accordance with legal obligations in each jurisdiction. We deeply appreciate our employees’ continued dedication as we work toward a strong and sustainable future for the league.”
The financial pressure comes as LIV faces fresh legal scrutiny. Earlier this week, ESPN reported that lawyers for English companies World Golf Group and Premier Golf League are seeking damages between $210 million and $630 million from LIV Golf, PIF, and other individuals and entities. The suit accuses LIV Golf of breach of confidence and unlawful means conspiracy, with the Plaintiffs characterizing LIV Golf as a “bald facsimile of the PGL.” The complaint alleges that Premier Golf League leadership first conceived several plans for the venture.