BC Partners boss makes huge LIV Golf claim ahead of 2.0 investment

BC Partners boss Ted Goldthorpe has made a huge prediction about the future value of LIV Golf's teams, claiming each franchise could be worth more than $100 million in the very near future.

Goldthorpe, a partner and Head of Credit at BC Partners, was speaking at Sportico Invest London as LIV Golf prepares for a major overhaul ahead of the 2027 season.

The BC Partners boss believes the league's teams have significant room to grow.

"I think you could easily see a path in very short order to over a $100 million valuation per team. I think that's a real number," Goldthorpe said.

The comments come after BC Partners Credit announced an initial committed investment in LIV Golf, forming the first part of a targeted $300 million financing package.

The investment is designed to help LIV emerge from its restructuring with a stronger financial footing, while paving the way for a new player-owned, team-focused model.

That ownership element could be the biggest change of all.

LIV players will have the opportunity to take equity in both the league and their individual teams, potentially giving them a direct financial stake in the future value of the competition.

Goldthorpe believes that could fundamentally change the relationship between LIV and its players.

"Our goal is to facilitate LIV Golf's emergence from the restructuring process on sound financial footing and with renewed momentum heading into the 2027 season," he said.

"Just as importantly, we want the players who make this league what it is to share in what they help build."

He added: "Giving players real and actionable ownership in the League and the teams is a unique opportunity in professional golf, and it aligns everyone around the long-term success of the product for the game and for the fans."

LIV players face huge decision

The timing of the announcement is significant, with LIV players now facing decisions over whether they want to commit to the league's next chapter.

Under the amended restructuring support agreement, the deadline for players to sign with LIV 2.0 has been pushed back from October 13 to October 25.

That gives the likes of LIV's biggest stars more time to weigh up their options as the proposed ownership structure takes shape.

And Goldthorpe's $100m valuation claim could make that decision even more interesting.

If LIV's teams do reach those valuations, players offered equity could potentially own a stake in franchises that become valuable assets in their own right.

It marks a significant change from LIV's early years, when the league was largely powered by funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

The PIF's investment in LIV ended following the 2026 season, leaving the league looking to establish a new financial model for its next phase.

LIV CEO Scott O'Neil welcomed the BC Partners investment, describing it as a major step forward.

"We believe deeply in the future of this league and in the opportunity to build something distinctive alongside our players," O'Neil said.

The league also plans to continue developing its team-based product while expanding grassroots programmes with cities, nations and golf's governing bodies.

However, the latest financing is not yet final, with BC Partners' investment still subject to Bankruptcy Court approval and customary conditions.

Even so, the direction of travel is becoming increasingly clear.

A targeted $300m investment, potential player ownership and Goldthorpe's prediction that LIV teams could soon be worth $100m-plus each all point towards a very different league in 2027.

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