S E25: Thomas Friedman on Saudi Arabia, LIV and the $2 Billion Gamble about to fall apart

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.

🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday

▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

📺 Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is produced by Big Swing Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.