Friday, July 17, 2026

LIV Golf Envisions $1B Franchises, but Not Ready to Sell Ownership Stakes

LIV Golf executives believe the league’s teams will soon all be worth $1 billion, but they’re not going to market just yet.

Phil Mickelson of Team HyFlyers GC hits off the fifth tee during the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship semifinals at The Cardinal at St. John’s in Plymouth on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Detroit Free Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — LIV Golf executives believe the league’s teams will soon all be worth $1 billion, but they’re not going to market just yet.

“We’re doing a lot of groundwork right now to prepare ourselves for that,” LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said Wednesday at the league’s Teams Week preseason event.

LIV head of team business operations Katie O’Reilly indicated the efforts are ongoing. “Our goal is to build 13 billion-dollar franchises,” she said. “That is our goal. Are we there yet? No. But right now we are building the foundation for that.”

Player captains of the four-man teams own 25% of each LIV franchise, while the Saudi-funded league owns the other 75% of each club. There is no public valuation of what teams are currently worth, and so far no ownership stakes have been sold.

“We have a very heavy interest coming our way—all of us—getting a lot of calls and real interest,” Chris Heck, LIV’s president of business operations, said. “But we are trying to do this wisely and also responsible for what we think is something that’s going to keep building and building in value.”

In 2024, LIV Golf Ltd., the U.K.-based firm that runs LIV’s non-U.S. operations, reported losses totaling $461.8 million, according to public filings. Revenue came in at $64.9 million, but expenses were $526.7 million. 

For 2026, O’Reilly said LIV is focused on driving sponsorship revenue at the team level, noting more traditional golf brands like Callaway and Ping are among the sponsors in the league. 

There is no timetable for when teams will be able to sell stakes to outside investors, but LIV’s biggest star is excited for that day to come. 

“That’s the ultimate goal,” Bryson DeChambeau, captain of Crushers GC, tells Front Office Sports. “That’s the business model. It’s taken a few years, but we’re getting to a place now where we’ve generated a lot of revenue and there’s some keen interest this year.”

DeChambeau—despite his uncertain future at LIV—has embraced the team aspect of the league as much, if not more so, than any of his peers. The Crushers have a major apparel provider in Reebok, as well as notable sponsors like NetJets and Qualcomm.

Chris Rosaasen, GM of Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team, tells FOS the idea of LIV franchises selling minority ownership stakes is “in its infancy right now,” but still something he’s following closely. “It’s my job to make the team as profitable as possible,” Rosaasen says.

If and when LIV teams are allowed to bring on investors, Rosaasen says Johnson is “happy keeping” his 25% stake for the immediate future. “He believes in it, and that’s maybe going to be his final swan song payoff,” Rosaasen says. “And maybe that’s 20 years down the road. He’s very excited.”

LIV’s efforts to build up the value of its teams comes as the PGA Tour-backed TGL is early into its second season with an array of prominent businesspeople and celebrities invested in the league.

TGL, the indoor team competition founded by Tiger Woods, has six teams and is adding a seventh in 2027. TGL’s parent company, TMRW Sports, was valued at $500 million during an investment round in 2024. TGL teams don’t have public valuations, but various reports have suggested some could be worth between $50 million and $100 million.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 17, 2026; Southport, ENG; Bryson DeChambeau reacts after making a birdie on the 18th hole during the second round of The Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Birkdale. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bryson DeChambeau Rules Violation Creates Chaos at The Open

DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty after the second round.
Golf - The 154th Open Championship - Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, Britain - July 16, 2026 Spectators during the first round

For Fans at The Open, Golf and Alcohol Don’t Mix Easily

At The Open, alcohol sales start at 10 a.m. each day.

DeChambeau Has Last Chance at 2026 Major Cut—With 3D-Printed Irons

LIV Golf’s biggest star continues to stay busy off the course.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with MLS Commissioner Don Garber on World Cup, Messi, Future & More

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Silver Wants LeBron Decision So NBA Can Finalize Schedule

James’s free agency choice will help shape the NBA’s national TV schedule.
July 16, 2026

MLS Commish: ‘We’ve Got a Lot of Boats’ on Soccer’s Rising Tide

The league eyes significant growth in the wake of a massive World Cup.
Jul 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) slides into score against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field.
July 17, 2026

Pending Labor Talks, MLB Is Set for Earliest Opening Day in 2027

Labor woes cloud the consideration of next year’s slate.
Sponsored

Clase Azul Tequila Founder’s Soccer Ownership

Arturo Lomeli talks about managing a tequila brand and two soccer clubs.
Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Conor McGregor (right) attempts a flying kick at the start of his fight against Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
July 16, 2026

McGregor Return Draws Nearly 16 Million Viewers on Paramount+

UFC 329 trailed Freedom 250 in total and average viewership.
May 27, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud (9) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Tempo during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Exclusive
July 16, 2026

WNBA’s Cloud Calls Out Engelbert Over Sports Bettor Threats

Cloud said she constantly receives racist messages online.
July 16, 2026

NHL’s New 84-Game Schedule Brings Earlier Start, High-Profile Games

The expanded slate leans further in to a series of key events.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; A MLS and Apple TV advertisement for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
July 15, 2026

MLS Will Attempt to Seize on World Cup Momentum

The league is eyeing the opportunity but still has a long-term view.