LIV Golf handed out $15.6 million in retention bonuses to seven executives just months before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Court records show CEO Scott O’Neil collected $6.375 million on June 24, 2026, while vendors like Fresh Tape Media still waited for payment. The league promised a new era for golf, but the financial disclosures reveal a different reality where leadership secured their wealth before vendors got a dime.
The timing of these payouts raises serious questions about how the league managed its final days of funding. The Saudi Public Investment Fund ended its financial support in April 2026, yet approved massive bonuses for top staff in June. According to the Associated Press, these payments occurred between the withdrawal of funding and the September 8 bankruptcy filing. The documents list 129 creditors with unpaid claims, creating a stark contrast between executive pay and unpaid bills.
The Cost of Staying On Board
Scott O’Neil received the largest single check in the group. Per Front Office Sports, his total compensation from September 2025 through August 2026 exceeded $13.6 million. This figure includes his biweekly payroll of $107,345.42 and a $2.7 million bonus paid on February 13. Other executives received similar windfalls to ensure they stayed during the restructuring. On the same day O’Neil received his major payout, David Phillipps, serving as chief financial officer, earned $3.37 million, whereas John Ruzich, the chief legal officer, was paid $2.6 million.
The list of paid executives extends beyond the top two roles. Chris Heck, president of business operations, took home $1.31 million. Jennifer Frieman, the global chief people officer, was paid $1.04 million. Even lower-level leaders received significant sums, with Katie O’Reilly getting $555,801 and Ilana Finley receiving $331,531. Independent board directors Jon Zinman and Eugene Davis each collected $750,250 in installments through July 31. These numbers show a clear priority to keep the leadership team intact while the rest of the league faced financial strain.
A Former Leader’s Exit Package
Greg Norman also walked away with a massive sum before leaving the organization. A settlement of $5.81 million combined with a $3.6 million bonus comprised the $9.41 million awarded to the former commissioner on September 26, 2025. This payment came after he stepped down as CEO in January 2025 but before his official departure in August. Reports noted that Norman helped build the league’s identity around huge financial incentives, yet his exit package now adds to the controversy over how funds were spent.
While executives secured their payouts, top players also received large checks before the funding dried up. Jon Rahm was paid $26.64 million in the past year, mostly through quarterly payments of just over $4.94 million each. Bryson DeChambeau received $13.86 million, and Dustin Johnson got $10.73 million. Cam Smith and Bubba Watson each received single payments of $2.33 million on January 30. These player payments highlight the league’s ability to meet its obligations to stars while struggling to pay its service providers.
Creditors Left in the Lurch
The bankruptcy filings reveal that many companies provided services without getting paid. More than $1 million is being requested by the Canadian-based Mobbi Systems Group to provide the “Any Shot, Any Time” broadcast feature. Colorado-based Fresh Tape Media wants $1.2 million for producing media preview days. Unsecured claims have been filed by both firms, which appear on the list of the 129 creditors. The disparity between the millions paid to staff and the unpaid bills for vendors has drawn sharp criticism from industry observers.
When asked about these unpaid vendors at the final event in August, Scott O’Neil offered a promise rather than a payment plan. He told reporters, “What I would say to them is we’re doing everything we can to make sure we can do right by them and the work they committed, and I hope we can.” He added that the league would need a new approach moving forward, stating, “For the next generation, it will certainly be a different business with a different process.” The court documents filed late Thursday in New Jersey now force the league to decide how to settle these debts without the backing of the Saudi fund.
