Tiger Woods couldn’t be extra concerned with primetime TGL until he had constructed the sector. He helped develop the tech-infused golf league. He’s enjoying in it. And now he’s a workforce proprietor.
Woods and his TGR Ventures and David Blitzer, the investor who has possession in all 4 main sports activities leagues, had been introduced Tuesday as house owners of Jupiter Links GC, the sixth and remaining workforce for the primary-of-its-form golf league that begins in January.
Woods, Rory McIlroy and former Golf Channel president Mike McCarley are founding companions in TMRW Sports, the sports activities and leisure firm behind TGL.
“Having the opportunity to not only compete, but also own a team to represent Jupiter is an exciting next chapter for me,” Woods stated Tuesday.
Woods referred to TGL as a “modern twist of traditional golf” that in the end will make it extra accessible by leaning the glitz of expertise. Key to the modernization is enjoying in SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, an area that holds some 1,600 spectators.
Teams will go head-to-head for 9 holes of alternate shot and 6 holes of singles, beginning off by hitting photographs from actual turf right into a display 20 occasions bigger than a regular simulator, after which shifting to precise photographs from 50 yards or nearer to a inexperienced advanced that may flip 360 levels to create completely different angles. They putt on an artificial floor through which contours can change.
It begins Jan. 9. The two-hour matches — two groups at a time — might be televised on ESPN on Mondays and/or Tuesday, ending earlier than the Masters. The prize fund is $21 million, with $9 million going to the profitable workforce and gamers finally getting fairness within the league.
Technology is one factor. Woods additionally stated the 2-hour window is vital to attracting followers.
“Generally, golf takes about five or six hours to play. In today’s world, with all of our smartphones, it is hard for anybody to go five to six hours without looking at their phones. So the shorter the time, the better it is.”
Three gamers from the 4-man groups compete in every match. Woods hasn’t competed because the Masters due to lingering leg accidents from a February 2021 automobile crash in Los Angeles. But he expects to be entrance and heart for TGL.
“It’s exciting that this group of guys is coming together for a two-hour window and we’re just going to basically hit balls, talk a lot of (trash) and people are going to be gambling on absolutely everything, each and every shot. Every shot there’s going to be a wager.”
McCarley, the CEO of TMRW Sports and TGL, stated a gaming associate and worldwide media rights are being negotiated forward of the January debut. Also to be accomplished is different workforce names and branding, together with filling out workforce rosters.
McIlroy is a part of Boston Common, led by Fenway Sports Group, and is joined by New England native Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott and Tyrrell Hatton.
The different groups are Atlanta Drive, led by Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons; Los Angeles Golf Club, led by a gaggle fronted by Alexis Ohanian, Serena and Venus Williams and restricted companions that embody Alex Morgan and Michelle Wie West; New York, led by Steven Cohen of the New York Mets; and San Francisco, led by Avenue Sports Fund with non-public fairness government Marc Lasry and Golden State guard Stephen Curry.
Blitzer provides to the roster of excessive-finish traders for the six groups.
He is the primary particular person to carry fairness in 5 North American sports activities groups — co-managing associate of the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and New Jersey Devils (NHL), together with proudly owning a 25% stake within the Cleveland Guardians (MLB) and has a minority stake within the Washington Commanders (NFL). He is also a stakeholder in Real Salt Lake (MLS), together with being normal associate in Crystal Palace FC within the Premier League.
Blitzer is a self-described sports activities fanatic, although he as soon as was quoted as saying he would “never make an investment just for the fun side of the equation.”
“At the end of the day, I’ve got to believe there’s a return, that the investment makes a lot of sense. The fun comes along with it,” Blitzer stated Tuesday.
“The idea of really creating the next evolution of professional golf rang really clearly to me,” he stated. “And when I think about what’s happening today in technology, and the innovations they’re bringing here … I was sold very quickly.”
The idea of workforce play — outdoors of the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup — was launched final yr by Saudi-funded LIV Golf and its 12 groups. Woods believes TGL might be simpler to observe partly as a result of there’s solely a workforce competitors, and since some gamers may have a connection to town, reminiscent of Collin Morikawa with Los Angeles and Bradley in Boston.
“Some of the stuff I’ve seen in LIV … I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on,” Woods stated. “Here it’s very simple.”
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
