Riyan Parag’s vaping incident a reminder that players have to maintain team’s culture: Sangakkara While most things have gone right for Rajasthan Royals on the field this season, the same cannot be said about what has happened off it. First, there was the incident of the team’s manager Romi Bhinder using the mobile phone in the dugout during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
He was fined Rs. 1 lakh and issued a warning by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. Royals made the world’s richest cricket body even richer on Thursday, with captain Riyan Parag being fined 25 per cent of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room during the match against Punjab Kings.
The Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara admitted the controversies didn’t really help them. “Such controversies are no positives for the team and all I can say is that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise,” he said on the eve of RR’s match against Delhi Capitals. “It is a reminder to the players that they have to maintain the team’s culture.”
About the match, the former Sri Lankan captain said he was expecting a tough challenge from the Capitals, despite their lack of form. “And it looks like another good pitch out there,” he said. “We don’t expect anything less than the best out of DC.”
His skipper may not be in great form, but he pointed out the importance of his knock in the victory against Punjab Kings. “His little innings shifted the momentum in our way,” Sangakkara said. “He brought the momentum back in our favour.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026
#Riyan #Parags #vaping #incident #reminder #players #maintain #teams #culture #Sangakkara
While most things have gone right for Rajasthan Royals on the field this season, the same cannot be said about what has happened off it. First, there was the incident of the team’s manager Romi Bhinder using the mobile phone in the dugout during the IPL match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
He was fined Rs. 1 lakh and issued a warning by the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. Royals made the world’s richest cricket body even richer on Thursday, with captain Riyan Parag being fined 25 per cent of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room during the match against Punjab Kings.
The Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara admitted the controversies didn’t really help them. “Such controversies are no positives for the team and all I can say is that both issues have been addressed by the BCCI and the franchise,” he said on the eve of RR’s match against Delhi Capitals. “It is a reminder to the players that they have to maintain the team’s culture.”
About the match, the former Sri Lankan captain said he was expecting a tough challenge from the Capitals, despite their lack of form. “And it looks like another good pitch out there,” he said. “We don’t expect anything less than the best out of DC.”
His skipper may not be in great form, but he pointed out the importance of his knock in the victory against Punjab Kings. “His little innings shifted the momentum in our way,” Sangakkara said. “He brought the momentum back in our favour.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026
![Deadspin | LIV Golf seeks ‘long-term financial partners’ as Saudi Arabia’s PIF confirms exit [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, touting “100% year over year” financial growth in 2026. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” a PIF statement read Thursday. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics.” Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor. “LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners,” the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended. Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O’Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” He made no mention of LIV’s future beyond 2026, however. LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with “institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities,” LIV Golf said Thursday. Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF’s governor and LIV’s main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects. DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #seeks #longterm #financial #partners #Saudi #Arabias #PIF #confirms #exit](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28164461.jpg "Deadspin | LIV Golf seeks ‘long-term financial partners’ as Saudi Arabia’s PIF confirms exit [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, touting “100% year over year” financial growth in 2026. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” a PIF statement read Thursday. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics.” Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor. “LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners,” the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended. Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O’Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” He made no mention of LIV’s future beyond 2026, however. LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with “institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities,” LIV Golf said Thursday. Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF’s governor and LIV’s main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects. DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #seeks #longterm #financial #partners #Saudi #Arabias #PIF #confirms #exit")
![Deadspin | LIV Golf seeks ‘long-term financial partners’ as Saudi Arabia’s PIF confirms exit [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, touting “100% year over year” financial growth in 2026. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” a PIF statement read Thursday. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics.” Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor. “LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners,” the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended. Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O’Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” He made no mention of LIV’s future beyond 2026, however. LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with “institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities,” LIV Golf said Thursday. Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF’s governor and LIV’s main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects. DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #seeks #longterm #financial #partners #Saudi #Arabias #PIF #confirms #exit](https://i0.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28164461.jpg?ssl=1 "Deadspin | LIV Golf seeks ‘long-term financial partners’ as Saudi Arabia’s PIF confirms exit [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, touting “100% year over year” financial growth in 2026. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” a PIF statement read Thursday. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics.” Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor. “LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners,” the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended. Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O’Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” He made no mention of LIV’s future beyond 2026, however. LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with “institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities,” LIV Golf said Thursday. Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF’s governor and LIV’s main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects. DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #seeks #longterm #financial #partners #Saudi #Arabias #PIF #confirms #exit")
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