Bryson DeChambeau's LIV Golf future takes fresh twist as BC Partners eyes funding deal

LIV Golf's search for fresh funding appears to have taken a significant step forward, with BC Partners' credit arm leading a group of investors exploring a loan to the Saudi-backed league, according to Bloomberg.

The development comes just hours after LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil confirmed the league has secured a new lead investor, saying an agreement has already been signed and approved by the board.

O'Neil gave few details away but added LIV will make its players "majority equity holders", calling it "a first for a major global sports league".

Speaking ahead of LIV Golf New York on Wednesday, O'Neil said the investment would allow the league to focus on its future beyond the 2026 season after months of uncertainty surrounding its long-term finances.

O'Neil's announcement came less than 24 hours after Bryson DeChambeau led a players' only meeting to deliver an update.

Hours after O'Neil addressed the media, Bloomberg reported that BC Partners' credit division is leading discussions over a potential financing package, although sources familiar with the negotiations cautioned that talks remain ongoing and no agreement has yet been finalised. 

The report also states how the structure and size of any investment could still change.

A successful deal would, however, provide a timely financial boost for LIV Golf following confirmation earlier this season that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will no longer fund to the league past this season. 

BC Partners is already well established in the sports industry through its investment in GSE Worldwide, one of the leading sports marketing and talent management agencies.

According to Bloomberg, BC Partners' Head of Credit Ted Goldthorpe has previously outlined the firm's strategy of expanding its sports portfolio through investments beyond direct team ownership.

Whether BC Partners is also connected to LIV Golf's newly announced lead investor remains unclear, but more details are expected to be confirmed soon. 

The firm's ties to GSE Worldwide have also prompted questions over what a financing agreement could mean for several of LIV Golf's biggest stars.

Among GSE's client roster is Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau, along with Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann and his teammate Abraham Ancer. 

PGA Tour players J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns are also represented by the agency.

DeChambeau's LIV Golf contract expires at the end of this month, making him one of the league's highest-profile priorities as it plans for 2027 and beyond.

The two-time U.S. Open champion has repeatedly stated he would like to remain with LIV Golf if the league continues operating beyond this season. 

However, he has also acknowledged that a schedule centred around YouTube content, the four majors and selected tournament invitations would remain an attractive alternative if circumstances changed.

Any contract extension is expected to command a substantial financial commitment given DeChambeau's growing commercial profile and popularity on YouTube.

While there is no indication that the proposed financing is linked to player negotiations, securing additional investment would strengthen LIV Golf's position as it prepares to renegotiate contracts with several of its marquee names.

DeChambeau is not the only big-name player whose future carries financial implications.

According to Monday Q Info, LIV Golf could still owe players more than $250 million in deferred payments, with arguably the league's best player Jon Rahm reportedly accounting for around $150 million of that total. 

Those figures have not been independently confirmed by LIV Golf though. 

O'Neil's latest announcement has at least eased some of the uncertainty surrounding the league's long-term future, but securing new investment may prove to be only the first challenge.

Asked about the prospect of keeping both DeChambeau and Rahm on board at LIV Golf, O'Neil said during his Wednesday press conference: "I would certainly love them to come along for the ride and journey because they carry maybe more weight than anybody in the game and I have a lot of time for that.

"I think we have enough support from enough players, and we have such an interesting format and global format, I think we'll do quite well in getting the right stars for this game."

Should Rahm and DeChambeau stick around for LIV Golf 2.0 in 2027 and beyond, it's fair to say Golf Channel analyst Eamon Lynch is not convinced the league can ever prove a viable business moving forwards. 

Watch Lynch's comments here: 

For now, there is nothing to suggest the reported financing talks are directly connected to DeChambeau's contract situation. 

But if LIV Golf is serious about building for 2027 and beyond, retaining arguably its biggest commercial asset will be high on the priority list. 

Fresh investment would undoubtedly strengthen the league's hand when negotiations begin, but until any funding is finalised, DeChambeau's long-term future remains one of the biggest storylines hanging over LIV Golf.