Just six weeks away from the first LIV event of the year, a report suggests the organization is considering giving the broadcast rights away for free.

After what was, apparently, a very good first year for the breakaway tour, there remained a heavy emphasis on finding a broadcaster for 2023, not only to attract sponsors but also to recoup some of the billions of dollars that has already been invested by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Last September, an online report suggested that the figures on YouTube were such that, “they literally can’t give it away,” whilst the numbers for the free coverage on the LIV website and Facebook don’t make pretty reading either.

Now, Sportsmail journalist Matt Hughes, writes that LIV have been unable to progress any deal with any of a handful of broadcasters, including Fox Sports, a company that was reportedly on the verge of agreeing a deal.

As a potential comparison, the sport of cricket has developed several leading franchises over the past few years, with Sky Sports agreeing to broadcast some of these live in order to get maximum exposure, but LIV faces a quandary. Not only does it promise a new, ‘louder’ schedule with 14 tournaments for the coming year but also a prize fund of over $400 million. At some point, this needs a return.

LIV has secured previous PGA Tour stop, Mayakoba, as its first event of the year on 24-26th February, but also Valderrama, a much-loved DP World Tour venue. However, they remain two of just seven venues confirmed for the tour, and if it’s coverage they need, it needs to come pretty quick.

Article originally appeared on: Golfwrx.com