FOX News interrupted for breaking story as Saudis | Sports News

Money and funding in sports activities regularly change course earlier than anybody totally grasps the place it is heading subsequent, and LIV Golf now faces an unsure future past 2026.

FOX News interrupted programming with host Bret Baier delivering the breaking information that LIV Golf will proceed to obtain funding by the 2026 season, however included a regarding element that sources imagine Saudi help will stop after that time on account of shifting priorities.

The announcement got here after LIV CEO Scott O’Neil had simply assured workers and gamers in a leaked inside memo that operations are continuing at “full throttle.” That message adopted experiences of the tour closing down after Wednesday’s emergency assembly in New York City.

Baier mentioned on FOX News: “Breaking tonight within the last hour. The LIV Golf tour is in serious trouble tonight.

“The Saudis need out. Eventually. Two sources who know the internal workings of the choice inform me the Saudis will fund LIV Golf occasions by the top of this season.

“That means the contracts, the television deal, the tournament venues remaining, all will be funded. Other decisions about unwinding LIV or merging it with other tours will follow that. But sources say the Saudi’s funding will definitely come to an end at the end of this LIV season, citing a change of priorities.”

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has already poured $5.3 billion into LIV, together with a $266.6 million injection in February alone, with whole investment projected to surpass $6 billion by the top of the season. From the surface, the product seems to be working easily for followers, with its 14-event schedule already underway and 5 tournaments wrapped up.

Elvis Smylie kicked off the 12 months with a victory in Riyadh, Anthony Kim triumphed in Adelaide, Jon Rahm claimed a win in Hong Kong, and Bryson DeChambeau has secured back-to-back victories in Singapore and South Africa.

Reports from retailers such as The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal have indicated that the Public Investment Fund is reconsidering its long-term dedication to sports activities.

The PIF bankrolls the league and maintains partnerships with FIFA for the World Cup, as properly as with WWE and UFC by TKO Group Holdings. Its new 2026–2030 strategy notably omits investments in leisure and sports activities, shifting focus as a substitute towards “Travel and Entertainment.”

The PIF’s web site highlights investments in clean vitality, manufacturing innovation, and tourism, however makes no reference to sports activities by any means. The fund’s major focus has pivoted towards “maximizing financial returns” throughout three portfolios: Vision (native economic system), Strategic (investment in ‘key’ belongings), and Financial (growth of national wealth).

Estimates recommend LIV Golf has already exceeded $1.1 billion in cumulative losses over three years. Player defections are additionally starting to undermine the model, with high-profile names such as Brooks Koepka and now Patrick Reed making their method back to the PGA Tour.

Koepka accepted the tour’s Returning Member Program, which mandates 15 match appearances in 2026 and carries penalties, together with a $5 million charitable contribution. LIV continues to project confidence publicly and has introduced plans for 2027. LIV is eyeing a return to South Africa and a relocation of its Adelaide occasion. CEO Scott O’Neil has even signaled growth efforts geared toward attracting younger expertise and breaking into new worldwide markets.