Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL will debut next month and it has added a major TV partner in the form of Sky Sports, something that LIV Golf has been unable to do in the UK
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new golf league TGL has struck a major UK TV deal, something LIV Golf has failed to do across its first three seasons.
TGL has announced an exclusive two-year broadcast rights deal with Sky Sports, with live TV coverage of every match when the league launches next month. The support of a flagship broadcaster like Sky is a big boost for the tech-infused TGL, which is hoping to reach new audiences with its made-for-TV matches.
LIV Golf, however, has failed to secure a UK broadcast deal in each of its three seasons since launching in 2022. The Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway circuit has streamed its events live on its app and YouTube, delivering relatively underwhelming viewing figures considering the hundreds of millions of pounds invested in building its star-studded roster.
LIV has also found it hard to find a broadcast partner in the United States. Its events are broadcast on The CW rather than a major sports network, although the league is reportedly in negotiations with FOX.
Despite the huge growth of streaming in recent years, the marketing power of a linear TV giant like Sky remains a huge benefit when promoting sports events, with prime advertising opportunities on Premier League football coverage. Sky Sports News remains an invaluable tool, too, opening up access to fans of other sports.
TGL launches in the early hours of January 8 UK time, when Xander Schauffele’s New York Golf Club takes on Shane Lowry’s The Bay Golf Club at the bespoke 1,500-capacity SoFi Center arena in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
The six-team league features 24 of the PGA Tour’s top stars, including Woods and McIlroy. The players will hit their longer shots into a huge simulator screen before turning their attention to the “GreenZone”, a dynamic short-game area with three bunkers and a rotating green.
“TGL is such an exciting and innovative new format that both existing and new golf fans can enjoy, and we’re delighted to be part of the TGL journey from the start, bringing fans even closer to some of the greatest golf stars,” Sky Sports’ director of golf Jason Wessely said. “We’re looking forward to working with TGL to make the tournament a truly entertaining viewing experience and are delighted to welcome TGL to Sky Sports, the home of golf.”
TGL CEO Mike McCarley added: “As the media home of golf in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports is the ideal home for TGL to reach fans who are accustomed to turning to Sky to find the best golfers in the world on Sky Sports platforms across Europe.
!With five TGL golfers across four teams from the UK and Ireland, golf fans will have local players to watch and new teams to follow in this fast-paced version of golf that is rooted in the traditions the game.”
