Golf
S E25: Thomas Friedman on Saudi Arabia, LIV and the $2 Billion Gamble about to fall apart
The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts›
Apr 22, 202633:03
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Episode Notes
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman joins Jimmy Roberts on The Big Swing to break down the business, politics, and global strategy behind LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the future of the game.
From Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to the economics of sports investment, this conversation goes far beyond headlines — diving into why LIV Golf may have been a flawed business model from the very beginning, and what its potential collapse means for players, fans, and the entire golf industry. With billions invested and no clear path forward, is LIV Golf sustainable? Or was it always destined to fail?
In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, we cover:
- Why LIV Golf “never made sense” as an investment
- The real strategy behind Saudi Arabia’s sports expansion
- How the PGA Tour was forced to respond to disruption
- Whether LIV Golf can survive without continued funding
- What happens to players, sponsors, and the global golf ecosystem next
- Why “nobody wins” from the current state of professional golf
LIV Golf has already changed the landscape of professional golf — from player movement and prize money to media rights and global investment. But if LIV disappears… what’s left behind? This episode explores the ripple effects across the PGA Tour, the global golf economy, and the future of sports investment and media.
If you care about golf, sports business, or where the industry is headed next — this is a conversation worth your full attention.
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"S E25: Thomas Friedman on Saudi Arabia, LIV and the $2 Billion Gamble about to fall apart" is an episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts. Runtime 33 min. Published April 22, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
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Quick FAQ
- When was this episode published?
- April 22, 2026.
- How long is this episode?
- 33 min.
- What podcast is this from?
- The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
- What does this episode cover?
- The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts covers golf. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.
