LIV Golf Broadcasters Dismiss Collapse Rumors as ‘Absolute Nonsense’
Arlo White and David Feherty, prominent broadcasters for LIV Golf, dismissed speculation about the league’s potential collapse as “absolute nonsense” during their live coverage from Mexico City on Thursday. However, their broadcast was soon interrupted by a technical malfunction that left viewers in the dark.
White and Feherty, who have been covering LIV Golf events, began their commentary by addressing the recent rumors surrounding the league’s future. The Saudi-backed rebel tour faced significant uncertainty earlier in the week after reports suggested it might be scrapped. Executives were seen meeting in New York City for an emergency summit, sparking widespread concern among fans and analysts alike.
Despite these challenges, recent developments indicate that LIV Golf will continue as planned for the 2026 season. CEO Scott O’Neil sent an email to employees reassuring them of the company’s stability and future direction. White confirmed this during his broadcast, stating:
“I’m delighted to report that reports of the imminent demise of the LIV Golf league were in fact greatly exaggerated.”
He added that he had spoken with O’Neil just hours before the event and was confident in the league’s future.
Feherty echoed White’s sentiments, expressing frustration at the amount of misinformation circulating about the league. He said:
“I’ve been in the professional game for 50 years now, and I don’t think I’ve ever had two or three days where there was more absolute nonsense that’s spread out.”
He criticized some media outlets for spreading unfounded claims, suggesting that many writers and broadcasters lack the expertise to accurately assess the situation.
White then humorously remarked: “It must be exhausting trying to will the LIV Golf league out of existence. Take a day off everybody and enjoy the golf!”
However, shortly after the broadcast began, LIV Golf encountered major technical difficulties. The live feed went down just a few shots into the tournament, with a message appearing on screen: “Please stand by. Technical issues.”
LIV Golf responded to the disruption via X, stating:
“We know many of you were tuning in, and we’re sorry for the disruption. We’re experiencing technical difficulties due to local power outages which is impacting our broadcast feed. We’re working on a resolution and hope to be back on air as soon as possible.”
The outage lasted over an hour, adding to the frustrations of the league following a turbulent week. There were also concerns about potential cuts to funding from Saudi Arabia, with multiple agents reportedly uncertain about the future of the four-year venture.
Despite these challenges, sources close to the league have indicated that operations are continuing as planned. Golf insider Michael McEwan reported that a high-ranking LIV source confirmed that funding and operations are “continuing as planned” despite the rumors.
Documents reportedly show that the tour is “tracking $100 million ahead through the first five events of this season.” Sponsorship and partnerships have increased by 40% year on year, ticket sales have risen by 129%, and retail and merchandising have grown by 26%.
O’Neil’s email to employees emphasized the league’s commitment to its goals, stating:
“I want to be crystal clear: Our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”
He added:
“While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organization that is bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before.”
While the long-term future of LIV Golf remains uncertain, the league appears to be moving forward with confidence. Thursday’s event in Mexico City proceeded as planned, with LIV Golf’s official X account sharing a preview graphic and commenting: “Slow news day? We are ON. #LongLIVGolf.”
