Phil Mickelson has dropped a hint over LIV Golf’s broadcasting future with the Saudi Arabia-funded Tour’s deal with CW Network nearing an end amid viewership low

Phil Mickelson has acknowledged the struggles in his current game

Prominent LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson has hinted that the Saudi breakaway Tour could move towards a more digital, streaming-focused future.

The league’s current deal with the CW Network is nearing an end, and LIV Golf is said to be looking at making significant changes to its broadcasting strategy. LIV Golf’s potential future shift away from traditional linear television and back to the digital and online sphere comes amid some telecasts attracting fewer than 200,000 average viewers.

Low viewership has raised concerns over LIV Golf’s ability to attract and retain an audience. “Our new partner, whoever that is after this year, I think is going to be more focused and centric on digital and streaming,” Mickelson said.

“Our new partner, because our new partner, whoever that is after this year, I think is going to be more focused and centric there because of the opportunities that will open up,” Mickelson continued.

“They’re in the middle of negotiating viewership relationships and partnerships going for next year. I’m not a part of that, so I don’t really have any great insight for you. I just know that the old-school model is not where LIV Golf is headed,” he concluded.

Mickelson, one of LIV Golf’s biggest arrivals from the PGA Tour in 2022, has recently dropped a retirement hint amid poor form on the Tour. The American, who has six major championships and 45 PGA Tour victories in the trophy cabinet, says he’ll step aside to allow younger blood to take the reigns of HyFlyers.

“I am realistic with where I’m at,” he said. “I’m 54 and I’m putting in the work. I also have a unique opportunity because of the fact that physically I’ve been able to withstand injuries and been able to be in better shape to do something at an age that nobody else has done, but I have not played at that level that I need to.

Phil Mickelson’s move to LIV Golf has been hugely lucrative (

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“I see glimpses and my teammates see glimpses of me being where I expect to be able to compete at level. But I’m also realistic with myself, and if I’m not able to I’ll step aside and let somebody come on in and take the HyFlyers to new levels.”

Mickelson has said he’d love to still win majors despite focusing on helping build the Saudi Tour. “I’m in every major on the regular tour next year, and I’ll be in three of the four majors for the next six, seven years,” he continued.

“I would love to compete and give myself a chance to win in those, and I also want to build this out and create a culture that is sustainable and that people strive to be a part of. How I do that, whether it’s internally as a player and so forth, or whether it’s strictly from the outside, I’m going to be intricately involved with the HyFlyers going forward probably the rest of my life, and then my playing career I’ll be realistic where I’m at too.”