LIV Golf has been dealing with a ton of drama and pushback since its inception. Despite its deep pockets and big-name signings, the Saudi-backed league faces skepticism over its ties to the Saudi government and resistance from the traditional golf world. The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have imposed penalties on defectors, and LIV Golf’s bid for Official World Golf Ranking points was rejected.

To make matters worse, viewership is declining, with some events drawing fewer than 100,000 viewers, and fans have been vocal about their dislike for the league on social media. As the golf world tries to make sense of it all, one thing is clear: LIV Golf’s future is uncertain. Today, we’re going to dive into the top 5 most upsetting moments that expose the cracks in LIV Golf’s foundation.

LIV Golf’s TV troubles

One of the primary reasons LIV Golf’s future is uncertain is its inability to secure a television deal for 2025 after the CW Network opted not to renew its contract. This setback has significant implications, as a TV deal is crucial for attracting sponsors and generating revenue. According to Greg Norman, LIV Golf’s commissioner, the lack of a TV deal creates uncertainty in the marketplace, making it challenging to secure sponsors. Despite having interested parties, Norman admits that many companies are hesitant to commit without a TV deal in place. With the league’s deal with the CW Network lapsing at the end of the 2024 season, LIV Golf is now racing to secure a new TV contract, with networks like FOX or Warner Bros. Discovery potentially in the mix.

LIV Golf’s viewership crisis

The latest TV ratings for professional golf tournaments have raised concerns about the sport’s declining popularity, but most importantly, it revealed how LIV Golf is living on the edge. The LIV individual championship and the PGA Tour’s Procore Championship drew dismal audiences, with the PGA Tour event averaging only 69,000 viewers, a significant drop from last year’s 286,000 viewers for a similar event. In comparison, LIV’s individual championship managed to attract only 89,000 average viewers, a far cry from the numbers the PGA Tour typically draws. To put this into perspective, the PGA Tour’s average viewership for the 2022-2023 season was around 744,000 viewers per event, highlighting the substantial decline in interest.

However, it’s worth noting that the PGA Tour’s viewership on NBC has also taken a hit. The tour averaged just over 2 million viewers for all tour events on NBC (excluding streaming), a 5% decline from last year’s weekend rounds. Sunday-only viewership on NBC also dropped 2% from 2023, with 2.35 million viewers tuning in.

Greg Norman saying goodbye to LIV Golf

Greg Norman, the CEO, and commissioner of LIV Golf has acknowledged that he will be replaced as CEO, a move that marks a significant shift for the organization he helped launch as his brainchild. “Is there going to be a new CEO? Yes. There will be a new CEO. I’m fine with that”, he said per Sports Illustrated. Norman’s contract expires in August 2025, and reports suggest that Scott O’Neil, a former NBA and NHL executive, will take over as CEO sometime in 2025. Despite being the driving force behind LIV Golf, Norman’s departure raises questions about his future role within the organization, with Norman stating that he will “always have a place” in LIV, but the specifics of his involvement remain uncertain. Norman has expressed pride in the impact LIV Golf has had on the sport, citing the increased competition and investment in the PGA Tour, and remains optimistic about the future of the organization, even as he prepares to step aside as CEO.

LIV Golf’s financial struggles

LIV Golf’s financial struggles have hit a new low, with recent court documents revealing the Saudi Arabia-backed golf circuit is generating “virtually zero” revenue, raising serious questions about its long-term viability. Despite spending a whopping $784 million in its first season in 2022, LIV Golf has managed to secure impressive revenue streams, including massive contracts with top players like Jon Rahm, £20 million prize pots, and partnerships with companies like EasyPost and JCB, as well as a broadcasting agreement with The CW Network. However, its 2023 revenues were a mere £81 million, accompanied by substantial losses due to high spending on player contracts and event organization, casting doubt on its ability to sustain itself.

LIV Golf and OWGR

LIV Golf’s world-ranking points bid has been denied, and it’s a major setback for the breakaway league. The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) didn’t hold back, citing some significant issues with LIV Golf’s format, including the lack of promotion and relegation, as well as its team competition. This decision is a big deal, and it’s not hard to see why – without OWGR points, LIV Golf players are at risk of missing out on majors due to their low rankings.

And let’s be real, if you’re a top player, why would you join a league that’s not going to give you the opportunities you deserve? It’s a vicious cycle and one that LIV Golf needs to break if it wants to stay relevant. To do that, the league is going to have to make some serious changes to its format and structure, and fast. It’s time for LIV Golf to step up its game if it wants to be taken seriously in the world of professional golf.