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USA Today
26-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lynch: Shocking! LIV consultant encourages Saudis to keep shoveling cash in the furnace
Lynch: Shocking! LIV consultant encourages Saudis to keep shoveling cash in the furnace A year ago, Michael Klein was one of several sports industry rainmakers who refused to discuss their work on LIV Golf for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund before a U.S. Senate committee, citing the threat of a 20-year prison term for violating the Kingdom's confidentiality laws. He was less taciturn at this week's CAA World Congress of Sports conference in Nashville, where no oaths were administered. Klein insisted the Saudis wanted partnership rather than competition with the PGA Tour, a calculable revisionism that ignores LIV's goal of having the best players on every tour funneled its way. He then bemoaned 'badly advised complexities' that hampered the league's development, a delightful sideswipe that was surely noticed at the agency formerly known as Performance54, which has profited handsomely from driving LIV since its inception. (He didn't specify which complexities were badly advised, presumably out of respect for the attention span of his audience.) 'They'll continue to invest in LIV as a separate entity or as a partner with PGA, either way,' Klein said of his PIF client. 'They've made a substantial investment believing in the growth in golf, which I happen to think is smart, and the growth in team golf, which is smart, and the long-term viability of a constructive relationship with the PGA.' 'I believe there will be a constructive relationship,' he added. On that point, Klein might be right. Sure, it's almost impossible to find anyone optimistic that a PGA Tour-PIF deal will be consummated, but cold cash has a way of thawing even the deepest chill. Still, Klein's claim that team golf is a smart bet seems audacious when LIV's own figures show it's more than $5 billion in the red with little to show for it beyond sponsorship by Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers (that being the commercial highlight announced during LIV's season debut in the U.S. earlier this month). If PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan heeds the counsel of his consultants, he'll continue to torch money while ignoring the reality that his pet project is more of a smoking ruin than a shining city on a hill. No one in Al-Rumayyan's circle is willing to tell the emperor — or in this case, His Excellency — that he's wearing no clothes, that his presumption of fan and financial support for team golf has proven fanciful. As one golf executive involved in the process pithily put it via text message: 'No one has the balls.' Nor, a cynic might note, the incentive. Not as long as the fees keep flowing. Outside of the Ryder Cup, team golf is nothing more than a palate cleanser in the men's professional game. Take this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour's only team event. The format features foursomes and fourball action, which resembles actual team play more than anything offered by LIV, which merely collects individual scores and presents them as team totals. But even there, the focus isn't really on the competitive merits of two-man teams. 'It's just a fun different experience this week.' — Luke Donald. 'It'll be a little kind of family-friendly week.' — Camilo Villegas. 'A fun week for us.' — Taylor Moore. 'Everyone probably says the same thing, but it's really the funnest week probably for any of us the whole year… It's nice to switch things up and be a little more lighthearted.' — Wyndham Clark. The winners get a nice check and FedEx Cup points, but that's how they talk about the member-guest at home. Even commissioner Jay Monahan didn't attempt to present the tournament as anything more than it is. 'To be able to play in a different format for that one week and to do so in a highly competitive but a fun atmosphere I think has just differentiated this event,' he said. That's what team golf amounts to at the elite level — a crafty move by an imaginative sponsor to distinguish its stop from all the others and a chill interlude for players at the right time in the schedule, but certainly not a template other sponsors have sought to copy nor one the players have encouraged. Thus, it happens one week a year and TGL is early-week entertainment in winter. Team golf is a diversion, not a core component, and certainly not something to be shoehorned into the schedule to assuage the pride of Al-Rumayyan and his well-compensated hangers-on. LIV wagered everything on gimmickry and lost, and the caterwauling of its online incels won't change that reality. If the product had any appeal other than cash, there'd be a credible advocate for its continued existence who doesn't collect payment for his backing. But it doesn't, so there isn't.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
TGL Rumors: Tiger Woods' Virtual Golf League to Launch Women's League
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. It has been a month since we heard any TGL (Tomorrow Golf League) news. The Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded league had its inaugural season wrap up on March 25th, where Justin Thomas's team, Atlanta Drive, claimed victory and earned $9M for themselves. The first season was a resounding success, drawing in a star-studded crowd, with celebrities like DJ Khaled and Celine Dion in attendance, showering the league with love. The list wasn't limited to just fans and celebrities, though! PGA Tour members and LPGA pros, including the World No. 1, Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang, were spotted hammering their support. NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 03: Tiger Woods of the United States the tournament host speaks to the media during his media conference as a preview for the Hero World Challenge 2024 at Albany Golf Course... NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 03: Tiger Woods of the United States the tournament host speaks to the media during his media conference as a preview for the Hero World Challenge 2024 at Albany Golf Course on December 03, 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by) More Getty Images Interestingly, Zhang, an investor in the Bay Area Golf Club, was also spotted advocating for female golfers' participation in the event along with Arthur Blank. "Potentially, there will be gals involved" in the format, Blank said at one of the TGL's events. And it appears like there is serious traction. According to the Sports Business Journal, in a conversation with the CAA World Congress of Sports, TMRW Sports co-founder and CEO Mike McCarley revealed some key information regarding TGL's future plans. "Nothing has been finalized, but progress has been made on both fronts," McCarley said referencing the addition of a team and a women's specific league. He further expressed that the first step in expansion will be to "start with one [new team] and then it'll grow from there." Meanwhile, Alexis Ohanian, owner of the LA Golf Club, chimed in, sharing that he has been "bugging these guys about the LPGA deal for a minute." The Seven Seven Six founder added, "They have been very interested. It's just these things take time, and I'm not allowed to make any news." McCarley backed Ohanian's statement, further expressing: "There's no secret we're working on that. Alexis has been a great thought leader for us on that, and I think most of our team owners are right behind them in that area, too." Although there's no concrete evidence on whether the TGL has started working on the LPGA deal, the team seems open to expanding it for Nelly Korda and other LPGA players. Adding to the excitement, rumors are circulating that Dallas might be the next city to join the TGL family, with new team owners potentially shelling out around $77 million if the deal goes through. More Golf: PGA Tour Ratings Spike Rarely Seen This Century amid Justin Thomas' Win
Irish Daily Star
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Star
TGL receives expansion bidders emerge as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods await further growth
The brains behind Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's tech-powered golf league have revealed that there are potential bidders lining up to create an expansion franchise. Meanwhile, Serena Williams' husband is pushing for the introduction of a women's division in the league. TGL, which was conceived by Woods, McIlroy, and their business partner Mike McCarley, surpassed expectations in its debut season . It attracted strong viewership on ESPN from its launch in January through to the finals last month. Based in Palm Beach, the six-team league features many top PGA Tour stars . However, notable players like Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth did not participate in the inaugural season, indicating potential for expansion in terms of new teams and venues in the future. Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy's parents missed Masters win - 'Was a good thing' Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy makes slow start on PGA Tour return as opponents break 60 At the CAA World Congress of Sports this week, McCarley and other TGL executives discussed the possibility of introducing an expansion team. According to the Sports Business Journal, McCarley expressed his pleasant surprise at the number of potential bidders who have shown interest. He further stated that the pool of potential investors has been narrowed down to those based in the United States. The expansion process will "start with one [new team] and then it'll grow from there," he added. TGL's lineup of team owners includes a wealth of billionaires such as Atlanta Falcons head honcho Arthur Blank and Stephen Cohen, the big cheese at the New York Mets. A major player in TGL is Dynasty Equity, and their head honcho Don Cornwell reckons that boosting the betting markets for TGL could "turbocharge" its growth by 2026. Alexis Ohanian, who founded Los Angeles Golf Club, isn't just any team owner; he's got his eye on teeing up the game for the ladies. The Reddit trailblazer, hitched to tennis legend Williams and co-owner of NWSL outfit Angel City FC, is champing at the bit to get moving on an LPGA deal. Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are keen to increase their involvement (Image: TGL Golf via Getty Images) "I've been bugging these guys about the LPGA deal for a minute," shared Ohanian. "They have been very interested. It's just these things take time, and I'm not allowed to make any news." TGL big wig McCarley echoed this sentiment: "There's no secret we're working on that. Alexis has been a great thought leader for us on that, and I think most of our team owners are right behind them in that area, too." In a tale close to his heart, Ohanian highlighted the clout of building brands that catch fans' eyes and hearts. He lapped back to Reddit's early days when spotting someone donning the site's logo inked on their skin set off light bulbs. "That's when I knew we were probably onto something," reflected Ohanian. "We knew the individual athletes had huge followings. We believed in the format, all the other things these folks are saying, but could we actually build a brand that one day someone might want a tattoo on their bodies?".
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
TGL expansion could include LPGA players
TMRW Sports Group chief Mike McCarley (centre, right) at a ribbon-cutting event for the SoFi Center, home of TGL, in January. PHOTO: USA TODAY NETWORK VIA REUTERS NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Expansion of the tech-infused TGL could include incorporating a women's league. That's according to Mike McCarley, the chief executive officer of TMRW Sports, which he co-founded with TGL partners Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports meeting in Nashville, McCarley said expansion of the six-team TGL would start with one team and go from there. There is plenty of interest from potential franchise owners, he said. And bringing in LPGA stars for a women's league also is under consideration. Alexis Ohanian, owner of TGL's Los Angeles Golf Club, said he is pushing to add female golfers. Married to Serena Williams, winner of 23 tennis Grand Slam tournaments, he is an advocate for women in sports. 'I've been bugging these guys about the LPGA deal for a minute,' Ohanian said, per Sports Business Journal. 'They have been very interested. It's just these things take time, and I'm not allowed to make any news.' McCarley said Ohanian has support. 'There's no secret we're working on that,' McCarley said. 'Alexis has been a great thought leader for us on that, and I think most of our team owners are right behind them in that area, too.' FIELD LEVEL MEDIA REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
TGL expansion could include LPGA players
April 24 - Expansion of the tech-infused TGL could include incorporating a women's league. That's according to Mike McCarley, the CEO of TMRW Sports, which he co-founded with TGL partners Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports meeting in Nashville, McCarley said expansion of the six-team TGL would start with one team and go from there. There is plenty of interest from potential franchise owners, he said. And bringing in LPGA stars for a women's league also is under consideration. Alexis Ohanian, owner of TGL's Los Angeles Golf Club, said he is pushing to add female golfers. Married to Serena Williams, winner of 23 tennis Grand Slam tournaments, he is an advocate for women in sports. "I've been bugging these guys about the LPGA deal for a minute," Ohanian said, per Sports Business Journal. "They have been very interested. It's just these things take time, and I'm not allowed to make any news." McCarley said Ohanian has support. "There's no secret we're working on that," McCarley said. "Alexis has been a great thought leader for us on that, and I think most of our team owners are right behind them in that area, too."
