• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 24, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and FOS merch? Take a few minutes to complete our survey and help us improve with your feedback! Take the survey Today
exclusive
World

Sources: LIV Golf Stars To Get Equity In Their Teams

  • Principal players potentially share in revenue as LIV’s dozen teams sell sponsorships.
  • Cut of team profits could help offset lost revenue from PGA Tour sponsors.
Dustin-Johnson-swinging-club
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

As if the multimillion-dollar contracts, party jets, and all-expenses-paid travel aren’t enough, LIV Golf is offering players another financial incentive to lure them from the PGA Tour.

The “principal players” of the breakaway golf league’s dozen new franchises will get equity in their teams, sources told Front Office Sports.

That means LIV’s 48 players can potentially participate in revenue and profits as their teams begin selling corporate sponsorships and ownership stakes. 

Their cut of team profits could help PGA Tour defectors like Dustin Johnson, who’ve been dumped by sponsors as punishment for joining LIV. 

Twelve teams are poised to compete at this week’s LIV Golf Invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. 

The colorfully named teams include: Phil Mickelson’s “Hy Flyers,” Bryson DeChambeau’s “Crushers,” Brooks Koepka’s “Smash,” and Johnson’s “Aces.”

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pouring $2 billion into LIV Golf, including monster multi-year contracts for Mickelson ($200 million) and DeChambeau ($125 million).

Despite the charge that LIV is trying to “sportswash” Saudi Arabia’s history of human rights abuses, there’s a lot to like about the rebel golf circuit’s team strategy, said Peter Kostis, the former CBS Sports golf analyst. 

The concept of 12 four-man teams will attract fans who enjoy global team competitions like the Ryder Cup, he said. Team competition will also help make LIV “ripe” for sports bettors.

If LIV teams are smart, they will start vigorously selling team sponsorships so players can participate in the profits, he added.

Down the road, Kostis can see LIV Golf stars playing in official team jerseys with the brands of their principal sponsors on the front. Think English Premier League kits. 

The LIV Golf Updates Twitter feed previously speculated principal players could get as much as a 25% ownership stake, with the goal of turning their teams into major sports franchises.

On Thursday, LIV announced it will expand to 14 tournaments around the world next year, with a total prize purse of $405 million.

This week’s second U.S. LIV tournament, and third overall, is shaping up to be a big one. Former President Donald Trump plans to tee it up in Thursday’s pro-am, according to the New York Post. 

Superstar TNT TV analyst Charles Barkley will also be on hand to discuss jumping to LIV Golf with chief executive officer Greg Norman.

LIV declined to comment for this story.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
exclusive

Diego Pavia Is Trying to Kill NCAA JUCO Eligibility Rules for Good

Vandy’s QB is amending his own lawsuit to encompass all NCAA athletes.

As the NFL, NBA, and NHL Go Global, The Masters Is Looking..

The tournament’s chairman touted new qualification measures.
draftkings
exclusive

DraftKings Is Paying Up to $250M for Prediction-Market Railbird

The deal was announced Tuesday, but financials weren’t disclosed.

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
Noah Lyles (USA) wins the men’s 100m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
September 22, 2025

Summer Olympics Face a Climate-Induced Heat Check

The World Athletics president says the status quo is not sustainable.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
September 29, 2025

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.
February 12, 2025

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.