Tranlate this title Alan Shipnuck says LIV Golf players believe they are free to leave in spanish

LIV Golf is going through probably the most difficult period since the league was created, and now there are also questions about contracts of some of its biggest players.

The 2026 season finished last week in Indianapolis, but it is still not completely clear what will happen with LIV next year.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to stop financing the league after this season. LIV CEO Scott O’Neil remains optimistic and believes that new investors can be found for the project.

A deal with a new investor is expected to bring many changes. There have been reports that LIV could have only 10 tournaments next year, while prize money could also be much smaller than before.

This is important because many players signed contracts under completely different conditions, with Jon Rahm being one of them.

The Spaniard joined LIV in December 2023 for a reported $566 million deal. Earlier this year, Rahm said that he had many years left on his contract and that he did not see many ways to leave.

However, golf journalist Alan Shipnuck now claims that the situation could be completely different.

According to Shipnuck, player agents believe that contracts are very specific when it comes to the number of tournaments and prize money.

“It depends who you ask,” Shipnuck said on Dan on Golf.

“The player agents are of the opinion that the contracts are highly specific. They call for 14 events, $45 million purses, etc.”

For this reason, agents believe players could have the possibility to leave if LIV changes its format.

“So the agents feel like that is voided, it’s not the contract we signed. If you give me 10 events for $8 million, we’re out,” Shipnuck said.

Shipnuck says LIV players feel they are free

The future of LIV became even more uncertain after it was confirmed that a large part of the league’s staff will lose their jobs.

There is also a possibility of bankruptcy as part of restructuring before a new investor comes into the project.

This could create another big question about player contracts.

Shipnuck stressed that the situation could eventually be decided by lawyers if LIV and its players cannot agree.

“Whether LIV goes into bankruptcy, however how much hardball the new guys want to play, this might have to be adjudicated by attorneys or you could even see a lawsuit,” he said.

However, according to his information, many players believe they have the right to make their own decision.

“Generally speaking the players feel like they are free,” Shipnuck said.

“They have been talking about having stuff left on their contract.”

Shipnuck also feels some players are being careful when they speak publicly about their future.

“I feel like it’s a bit of a cop out when they say, ‘I am going to see what I want to do, let’s see how this contract plays out.’”

He then made his position clear.

“Most the people close to it feel as if they can get out if they want to.”

This could become very important for players such as Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who have both said they have more years left on their contracts.

Bryson DeChambeau, on the other hand, has already become a free agent.

Hatton expects LIV Golf to continue

Hatton was also at the center of speculation during the final LIV event of the season.

The English golfer chose Queen’s “I Want to Break Free” as his walk-on song at the party hole, which quickly created rumors that he was giving a message about his future. Hatton denied that there was any special meaning behind the song.

He also stressed that he is not currently thinking about leaving LIV, but fans aren’t so sure about it.

“I’ve still got multiple years left on my contract with LIV,” Hatton said.

The 34-year-old explained that his focus is currently on tournaments he will play for the rest of the year.

“I’ve got plenty of tournaments this year, so there is nothing really to focus on other than the golf,” he said.

Hatton also believes that LIV will exist next season.

“I would expect there to be LIV next season. I know they have worked really hard to getting funding stuff in place. So I know it’s full steam ahead on that front.”

The situation within LIV Golf is quite chaotic, with tons of questions that fans are asking day in and day out. Social media are overflowing with content concerning LIV Golf and its future. The coming days, weeks or even months will give a definitive answer as to what will happen to the controversial league that wanted to achieve supremacy over the PGA Tour, but ultimately failed.