What if you could golf 18 holes in under two hours? The TGL golf league, part of the new joint venture TMRW Sports from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, aims to accomplish just that – and have you watching every minute of it.
TMRW Sports concentrates on “technology-focused ventures that feature progressive approaches to sports, media, and entertainment.” The company that hopes to disrupt the sports industry has already seen massive investments from a host of pro athletes and high-profile celebrities such as Serena Williams and Justin Timberlake.
“So many athletes, entertainers, and people I meet from all walks of life share our passion for sports, but they also share our desire to build a better future for the next generation of sports fans. Together, we can harness technology to bring fresh approaches to the sports we love,” Woods said of the company’s formation.
In addition to being backed by athletes and celebrities, NBC Sports producer Dick Ebersol and executive Mike McCarley will hold roles to execute the company’s vision.
The TGL golf league is the first venture of TMRW Sports, which launched a partnership with the PGA Tour this past summer. TGL plans to host golf matches that will take place in under two hours on primetime television in a series that will launch in early 2024.
“From the very beginning our plan has been to partner with the best-in-class in every way imaginable,” Mike McCarley, CEO of TMRW, stated.
“Tiger, Rory, and I value the support of this unrivaled team of investors, advisors, and ambassadors who believe in our vision to harness technology to create progressive approaches to sports. Their combined broad reach and cultural relevance will expand potential opportunities and fanbases for TMRW projects. Many share a passion for golf that only adds more fuel to TGL, our first project in partnership with the PGA Tour.”
TGL will include six teams of three PGA Tour players competing head-to-head over 18-hole matches on Monday nights during the Tour season. Play will take place in a tech-infused arena that appears to include simulated full-swing shots alongside potentially real short-game shots, all in front of a live audience.
Part of TMRW Sport’s aim is to attract a younger audience for golf and make it more enticing for people to tune into primetime. Expected to launch in January 2024, the series is set to include a semi-final and final series of matches following the regular season.
“In a world where technology provides us with so many choices for using our time, we want to make sports more accessible for as many people as possible,” McIlroy said.
Collectively, TMRW Sports investors and members have a seriously impressive resume. Together they have won 40 Emmy awards, 10 Grammy awards, and 21 Olympic gold medals, and have played in 32 NBA All-Star Games, eight NBA championship series, 16 NFL Pro Bowls, and 26 Grand Slam singles.