Last year (August 2025), I published an article here on The Hayride about Governor Jeff Landry’s announcement of a Saudi-backed LIV Golf League tournament scheduled for the summer of 2026 in New Orleans. I shared my dissatisfaction with this decision because the Louisiana state government reportedly spent MILLIONS of our tax dollars on this planned Saudi-funded sports league event:

For those who don’t know, LIV Golf is a relatively new league that rivals the longtime PGA Tour. This league is owned by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia–a country with strong ties to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Not only is a Saudi-backed sports league hosting a tournament in New Orleans, but Governor Landry and the Louisiana Legislature decided to give $5 million of public money directly to LIV Golf. Our tax dollars are going straight to an absolutist monarchy on the other side of the planet where Christianity is illegal.

Meanwhile, Louisiana residents grapple with crumbling infrastructure, sky-high insurance rates, and nonstop crime. Yet our “conservative” leaders are funneling taxpayer money to enrich a foreign sovereign wealth fund worth nearly $1 trillion.

This announcement isn’t economic savvy–it’s fiscal folly. State politicians are raiding Louisiana’s major events incentive fund—typically reserved for key events like the Super Bowl—to bribe a league that lures players with obscene signing bonuses. Even the projected economic returns look inflated, especially given New Orleans’ sweltering heat during the tournament’s expected June 2026 date.

In fact, Governor Landry and LIV Golf officials claimed last year that this golf tournament would generate more than $40 million in economic activity for the New Orleans area during the initial press conference.

Well, this purported “economic development” didn’t materialize as Louisiana’s public officials claimed it would. Just two months before the golf tournament was scheduled to begin (i.e. April 2026), LIV Golf announced that it would postpone its planned summer golf tournament in New Orleans:

“In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall … “

Additionally, Governor Landry and LED Secretary Bourgeois released a joint public statement in April 2026 about the postponement of the LIV Golf tournament:

“Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall. The state has already paid $3.2 million in accordance with the contract. LIV is expected to return all state incentive funds, with the exception of the $2 million already invested in upgrades for City Park, ensuring those improvements remain in place for the community. We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year …”

You heard it from the Governor himself: the State of Louisiana was already $3 million in the hole for a golf tournament backed by a foreign sports league—with $1.2 million in public funds going directly to Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Despite Governor Landry’s previous promise, a recent development makes it look less likely that LIV Golf will repay the State of Louisiana anytime soon for the canceled tournament.

Yesterday, LIV Golf officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. In the midst of this financial chaos, LIV Golf listed the State of Louisiana as one of its largest creditors with more than $1 million owed.

Of course, Governor Landry and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) have not made any public statements about the money our state is still owed by this bankrupt sports league.

Promises made. Promises broken.

Every one of the state and local officials who attended the LIV Golf tournament announcement press conference last year should apologize for wasting OUR tax dollars on a now-bankrupt sports league. Senate President Cameron Henry, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois, and Governor Landry let our state down, and Louisiana taxpayers deserve more transparency and accountability for this completely avoidable mess.

Hate to say it, but this LIV Golf debacle is certainly an “I told you so” moment for Louisiana state government.

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