LIV Golf attorney says league's future will be decided by end of October after court releases 19 players
A New Jersey bankruptcy judge approved the release of 19 golfers from LIV Golf contracts, and the league's lawyer said a decision on its continuation through 2027 will be known by the end of October.
A federal bankruptcy court in New Jersey approved a motion that frees 19 golfers from their existing contracts with LIV Golf, a move the league says is needed to renegotiate deals under a planned "LIV 2.0" structure. The court’s decision was announced on Wednesday.
LIV Golf’s attorney, Robert Fitzgerald, told the judge that the league expects to know by the end of October whether it will continue operating through 2027 or will cease operations. He added that the league is working to restructure its compensation model and that the current contracts "do not reflect the contemplated compensation structure under LIV 2.0."
The release of players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith means they are no longer bound to the venture, though their future affiliations—whether with LIV Golf, the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour—remain uncertain.
Fitzgerald also criticized the DP World Tour’s upcoming rule that will require golfers to choose between the two tours starting in 2027, describing it as an attempt to interfere with LIV Golf’s reorganization. > "We’re continuing to monitor this situation very closely, and we’re quite concerned by it," he said, adding that the league is reserving all rights and remedies in response to the tour’s statements.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced it would cease financial backing. The league has since secured a commitment of more than $300 million from BC Partners, contingent on meeting certain conditions. Retaining top players remains a key challenge as several high-profile golfers have indicated they do not intend to stay with the new league.