Strategic Financial Shift
LIV Golf is actively reinforcing its financial infrastructure as it prepares for a transition in its funding model. In light of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia signaling its departure after the 2026 season, the golf league has officially retained the U.S.-based firm Ducera Partners to act as its investment banking adviser.
The objective of this partnership is to navigate the search for new investors and transition the organization toward a diversified, multi-partner financial framework. By the end of this year, the PIF’s total expenditure on the league is projected to exceed $6 billion, covering everything from operational expenses to tournament prize purses.
Expertise and Track Record
Founded in 2015 by veteran banker Michael Kramer, Ducera brings extensive experience in the sports and entertainment sectors. Kramer, who also owns the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, has previously provided advisory services for transactions involving MLB and NHL franchises. According to the firm, they have managed over $850 billion in transactions across various global industries.
Notably, Ducera recently acted as the investment banker for Tom Dundon’s Pickleball Inc. during a $225 million capital raise that consolidated the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball. Regarding the new partnership, Kramer stated:
«We are focused on helping the league identify the right long-term partners to unlock that value and power its next phase.»
Restructuring and Governance
The engagement of Ducera is part of a broader trend of financial restructuring within the league. LIV recently established an independent board featuring corporate restructuring veterans Eugene Davis, CEO of Pirinate Consulting Group, and Jon Zinman, founder of JZ Advisors.
Furthermore, reports indicate that the organization has enlisted additional expertise from the New York-based consulting firm AlixPartners to assist in these structural changes. Despite the ongoing organizational shifts, the league’s competition schedule remains unaffected, with the LIV Golf Virginia event scheduled to begin this Thursday at the Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C.