Thursday, October 1, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds
Exclusive
Media

Saudi-Backed Golf League Seeks $500M Rights Deal

  • New competitor to PGA Tour could seek a global deal – or divide up rights on country by country basis.
  • Ex-ESPN exec Sean Bratches already has ‘short list’ of potential golf announcers.
Caitlyn Jordan-Naples Daily News/Design: John Regula

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Greg Norman’s LIV Golf Invitational Series is ready to start negotiations with potential streaming and broadcast partners. 

The ambitious aim, sources told Front Office Sports, is to score up to $500 million for global media rights.

The Saudi-backed golf startup may seek a global deal or divide its rights on a country-by-country basis. But streaming giants like DAZN make sense for an international series that will tee it up in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

“Streaming platforms, particularly the Netflixes, the Amazons, the Apples, are truly global. That’s one path we could pursue,” said Sean Bratches, a former ESPN executive and LIV’s chief commercial officer. 

Bratches acknowledged the other path, a bidding process for each country, claiming there is “interest across the board.”

  • LIV already has a “short list” of potential announcers, including three “interesting names.”
  • No players have signed with the new rival to the PGA Tour yet. 

In March, the PGA Tour agreed to nine-year extensions with CBS, NBC, and ESPN worth $7 billion from 2022 through 2030. 

Plenty of Purse Money

Launching in June, the league will feature an eight-tournament schedule that will offer $25 million purses and only 48 competitors per event. Sites include New Jersey, Portland, Boston, Chicago, London, Bangkok, and Saudi Arabia.

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

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) during a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.

College Football Viewership Down 11% Through September vs. 2025

FBS game broadcasts are averaging 1.7 million viewers.
Exclusive

WPBL CEO Fires Board Member After $600K Offer to Drop Case

The firing effectively ends Mina Kim’s case.
Sep 17, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) dives safely into third base after advancing on an errant New York Mets pickoff throw to first base during the seventh inning at Citi Field. novig
Exclusive

Novig to Quadruple Valuation With New Funding Round

The company is fundraising at a $2 billion valuation.

U.S. Presidents Cup Comeback Delivers Viewership Boost for NBC

NBC drew two million viewers for the final round.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/30/26 – Man City Found Guilty, NBA’s $12B Vegas Race, College Sports Bill Passes

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
Detroit Cass Tech players warm up ahead of a high school football game against rival Detroit King at Cass Technical High School in Detroit on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. The Detroit skyline is seen in the background.

Rivals’s $399 Evaluations Test What a Recruiting Ranking Is Worth

Coaches are split on whether rankings still matter in recruiting.
Dec 29, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The Sacramento Kings logo on the shorts of forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena.
September 29, 2026

Kings Reporters Caught Discussing Player Attractiveness on Hot Mic

The incident took place at the Kings’ media day on Monday.
Jun 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Spectrum SportsNet LA play-by-play announcer Joe Davis watches batting practice before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
September 29, 2026

Joe Davis Still Has Vin Scully’s Advice ‘Ringing in My Ears’

Davis is preparing to call his fifth World Series for Fox.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees injured right fielder Aaron Judge (99) watches from the dugout during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
September 29, 2026

NBC Sports Loses Star Draw With Aaron Judge Out for Wild-Card Series

Judge had previously insisted he would be able to play.
Aug 28, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) throws to first for a double play against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

How NBC Sports Is Approaching Its First MLB Postseason in 26 Years

The network will have its first MLB postseason presence since 2000.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin before the game between Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

Mike Tomlin Breaks With Coaching Fraternity in Cowboys Analysis

Tomlin questioned the Cowboys’ decision-making in their loss vs. Baltimore.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
September 25, 2026

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.