Bryson DeChambeau’s agency is denying playing any role in helping LIV Golf find its new mystery investor, despite a notable connection between the two.
While LIV did not reveal details of who has agreed to back the league moving forward or how much money they’re committing, BC Partners is said to be the firm in talks with LIV, according to Bloomberg and the Financial Times. The international firm—with offices in Europe and the U.S.—describes itself as “a leading alternative investment manager focused on private equity and private credit.”
BC’s credit division, the one reportedly exploring aligning with LIV, in 2024 announced a “strategic investment” (financial details were not disclosed) in GSE Worldwide, the sports agency that represents DeChambeau and other golfers on both LIV and the PGA Tour. GSE has been majority-owned by London-based Gatemore Capital Management since 2018.
DeChambeau has been LIV’s biggest supporter and was offering his help to find new investors earlier this year. The golfer hasn’t spoken publicly since LIV CEO Scott O’Neil announced the investor news Wednesday morning. But his agency is pushing back on any notion that it assisted in LIV’s investor search.
“We want to provide a clarification regarding BC Partners and a potential financing transaction involving LIV Golf,” a GSE spokesperson said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “BC Partners acts as a lender to GSE. Gatemore holds 100% of the company’s voting shares. As always, GSE continues to operate independently in the best interests of our clients. The reported transaction is a matter for the parties involved. Neither GSE nor Gatemore were aware of the transaction or are participating in any of those discussions. Our focus remains entirely on delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
