Dustin Johnson, one of the biggest names in golf, is leading a group of over 10 LIV players who are looking for serious cash, and we’re talking nine figures here. They are trying to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) for severance payments, claiming more than $100 million in unpaid contracts. This isn’t some rumor, folks: The Athletic just dropped the report, naming Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Thomas Detry among those seeking these deals.
The League’s House of Cards Falls
This bombshell hits as the deadline for player commitments for LIV 2.0 just passed, a date BC Partners already pushed back once and might again. Can you believe only four players have publicly committed to the next version of the league? Over a dozen have already said they’re out. It’s a mess, plain and simple. None of the players in Johnson’s group are expected to sign the current restructuring agreement between LIV and BC Partners. Johnson’s lawyer, David Cornwell, laid it out: “Given their reliance on these promises, our group seeks a sensible severance payment as part of the wind-up of LIV.” He also said the decision to join LIV 2.0 is gonna be heavily influenced by how PIF handles the end of LIV 1.0.
Remember earlier this year when PIF announced it was pulling funding after the 2026 season? That led directly to LIV Golf filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, and now there are ongoing court hearings to figure out what’s left. BC Partners did commit $300 million to the league for 2027, but that money was on the condition that LIV 2.0 got enough player commitments. Clearly, that’s not happening right now. PIF reportedly saw itself as just an equity investor, and get this, they haven’t been involved in any of the talks about LIV Golf’s future or even the severance talks with the players or their lawyers. Oh, and PIF’s initial offer for contract settlements? A paltry 2 cents on the dollar. Talk about a slap in the face.
Where Did All the Money Go?
Here’s the kicker: While the players are fighting for their promised money and the league is in bankruptcy court, court documents revealed that LIV leaders were getting massive payouts this summer. We’re talking retention payments to top executives, with bankruptcy looming large! CEO Scott O’Neil snagged over $6.3 million in late June alone. From September 12, 2025, through August 28, O’Neil pulled in more than $13.6 million in payroll, bonuses, benefits, retention payments, and expense reimbursements. The league paid about $15.6 million in retention payments to just its top executives. Chief financial officer David Phillips got over $3.3 million, and chief legal officer John Ruzich received about $2.6 million. How can they justify these huge payouts when LIV reportedly failed to pay its contractors and vendors on time, and was forced to lay off most of its staff after canceling the season-ending Team Championship? It’s mind-boggling.
Cornwell states these players made “career-altering decisions” based on “repeated promises” from the PIF, which heavily influenced their choice to join the league. Now, they’re hesitant to move forward with any new LIV venture until they know more about settlements for what they’re owed. The report says LIV expects these player claims to be handled through the bankruptcy court process. It’s a complete mess, and it just keeps getting messier. What’s next for these players, and for the future of professional golf? Nobody seems to know, but you can bet these court hearings are going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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