What opportunities does ESPN see in acquiring TGL’s US media rights?


By: October 5, 2023

What is the size of the business opportunity in which ESPN joins as a partner, and is it important for him to handle its US media budget for that service? The following happened.

TGL presented by SoFi, the new tech-forward team golf league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports in partnership with the PGA TOUR, and ESPN have announced a multi-year partnership that makes ESPN the exclusive home of TGL matches in the United States beginning in January 2024.

ESPN_SoFi_Exterior_02

The significance of the change was well articulated by Topgolf Callaway Brands president & chief executive Chip Brewer in a Financial Times interview:

“In the US, off-course golf is already larger than on-course golf (28mn versus 25mn), and it is structurally set to grow more quickly’’.

TGL programming will be featured across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+.  ABC will air a TGL presented by SoFi preview show on Saturday, Dec. 30. 

The inaugural TGL match will air in prime time on ESPN and ESPN+ on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the night following the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The second TGL match will air in prime time on ESPN and ESPN+ on Tuesday, Jan. 16, the night following ESPN’s Monday Night Football NFL Wild Card game. All Matches will air on either ESPN or ESPN2 and simulcast on ESPN+.

Outfireld View_ESPN_100423

TGL presented by SoFI will debut in January 2024:

  • ESPN: TGL Week 1: The inaugural TGL match will air on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. This will benefit from a promotional surge the night before during ESPN’s coverage of the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, traditionally one of the most-watched ESPN events yearly.
  • ESPN: TGL Week 2: TGL’s second-week match will air on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. ET, the night after ESPN’s Monday Night Football NFL Wild Card Game that airs on both ESPN and ABC.
  • ABC: TGL Preview Show: On Saturday, Dec. 30, ABC will air a TGL presented by SoFi preview show that will delve into the debut of this new golf league and introduce the 6 teams of PGA TOUR players, some of whom will demonstrate the advanced technology behind TGL in SoFi Center, the custom-built TGL arena.
  • All Matches will air on ESPN or ESPN2 and simulcast on ESPN+.