TL;DR
Get sports gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
Jon Rahm plans to leave LIV Golf after deciding that proposed terms for a restructured LIV 2.0 are unacceptable, his lawyer told a U.S. bankruptcy court. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are discussing a consensual separation, while the league has until Oct. 25 to negotiate with players as it seeks financing to continue into 2027.
Jon Rahm plans to leave LIV Golf after deciding that proposed terms for the league’s planned LIV 2.0 are unacceptable, his lawyer told a U.S. bankruptcy court hearing. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are now in advanced discussions over a consensual separation, but an agreement has not been finalized.
Lawyer John Beck told the hearing that Rahm, the 31-year-old Spanish golfer, had independently reviewed the proposed terms and found them unacceptable for him. The court was later told that the two sides were in advanced discussions on a separation agreement, which they hope to complete by a hearing scheduled for Nov. 5.
Rahm is listed as LIV’s largest unsecured creditor, with a claim of $7.5 million, according to documents detailing the league’s 30 largest unsecured claims. LIV participants are owed at least $45 million in total and have the option to leave, BBC Sport reported. The source does not specify how Rahm’s claim would be resolved under a separation agreement.
The hearing also produced no agreement on how other players may exit or discuss future plans with rival tours. Lawyers for players including Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith sought clarity about whether contract rejection would allow them to negotiate with other tours or sponsors. LIV counsel Keith Martorana said the league needed more time to review the contracts. That matter was pushed to an Oct. 14 hearing.
Rahm’s Exit Tests LIV’s Player Plans
Rahm’s position is a major setback to LIV’s effort to secure players for a relaunch. He was among the league’s highest-profile recruits, joining from the PGA Tour in December 2023 on a deal reported to be worth $300 million. His decision signals that the proposed terms may not retain every prominent player, though the court report does not establish how many others will refuse them.
The outcome also matters beyond LIV. Players need to know whether they can speak with other tours while their LIV contracts remain unresolved. The DP World Tour is understood to require proof that a player’s LIV contract has ended before discussing future arrangements. That uncertainty could affect players’ choices about competition, sponsorships and eligibility for events such as the Ryder Cup.
LIV’s future carries added weight because the league is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after Saudi Arabia withdrew multibillion-dollar funding. Its ability to continue depends not only on financing but also on securing enough players and rebuilding operations for the proposed 2027 season.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Saudi Funding to LIV 2.0
LIV filed for Chapter 11 protection in September after the withdrawal of funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Chapter 11 gives a U.S. company time to reorganize debts or sell parts of its business while creditor obligations are paused. The PIF is providing a $49.6 million bankruptcy loan, known as debtor-in-possession financing, to support the process.
The league has also secured a possible $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit as it tries to move forward with the 2027 season. A court agreement extended the period for LIV to discuss terms with players through Oct. 25. BC Partners Credit head Ted Goldthorpe told BBC Sport he was confident the league could attract the number and calibre of players it needs, while saying work was also planned on business and event planning, staff rehiring and revitalizing the league.
Rahm had previously defended his decision to join LIV and, in August, won his third consecutive LIV season title. He also reached a deal with the DP World Tour in May to retain membership and remain eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup. The PGA Tour automatically bans LIV golfers for a year, while the DP World Tour has a route to PGA Tour membership for its leading 10 players.
“independently reviewed the terms of LIV 2.0 and determined those terms are unacceptable as to him”
— John Beck, Jon Rahm’s lawyer
Separation Terms Still Undecided
Rahm’s departure is not yet complete: the reported separation agreement remains under discussion, and the source does not give its financial or contractual terms. It is also unclear whether the agreement will be finalized by the Nov. 5 hearing or how Rahm’s $7.5 million unsecured claim will be handled.
The position of other LIV players remains unsettled. Lawyers have asked whether rejecting a contract ends it and permits talks with rival tours or sponsors, but the court has not resolved those questions for the players who sought clarification. LIV has not indicated how many players it needs to commit to LIV 2.0, and no player commitment total was provided in the report.
Sergio Garcia received a separate arrangement at the hearing allowing his contract to be terminated and rejected; once signed, it is understood he will be free to negotiate with third parties. LIV’s lawyers did not agree to apply that arrangement to the other players, saying they needed time to review individual contracts.
Court Dates Set the Next Steps
The next reported court date on player contract questions is Oct. 14. LIV’s player discussions are due to remain open through Oct. 25, when the extended negotiation period ends. Those milestones should clarify whether additional players can leave or negotiate elsewhere, although the report does not say that every player dispute will be settled by then.
Rahm’s representatives and LIV are seeking to reach a separation agreement ahead of the Nov. 5 hearing. In parallel, BC Partners Credit says it plans to work on player recruitment, business and event planning, and rehiring staff as the league pursues a 2027 season. Its financing and the league’s eventual lineup remain contingent on developments in the bankruptcy process and negotiations.
Key Questions
Why does Jon Rahm plan to leave LIV Golf?
His lawyer, John Beck, told a bankruptcy court that Rahm reviewed LIV 2.0’s proposed terms and found them unacceptable for him.Has Rahm’s exit been finalized?
No. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are in advanced discussions over a consensual separation, but the agreement has not been completed.What is LIV 2.0?
It is LIV Golf’s proposed next version as the league tries to reorganize under Chapter 11 and continue into the planned 2027 season. The report does not provide full details of its terms.Can other LIV players leave or negotiate with rival tours?
Players have the option to leave, according to the report, but the court has not clarified how contract rejection affects negotiations with rival tours or sponsors for the players seeking guidance.What happens next in the case?
A hearing on player contract questions is scheduled for Oct. 14, the extended period for LIV player discussions runs to Oct. 25, and the parties hope to finalize Rahm’s separation before a Nov. 5 hearing.Source: google-trends
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
