TGL, the planned indoor golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has postponed its inaugural season from 2024 to 2025, the organisation stated Monday.
TGL said the decision was forced on them after the roof of the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida that will host matches deflated last Tuesday (November 14) due to “a failure of the temporary power system and backup systems used during construction”. There were no injuries, and most of the technology was not impacted, TGL confirmed.
However, following discussions with key partners, including players, the six team ownership groups, PGA Tour leadership and TGL’s commercial partners, SoFi, ESPN and Palm Beach State College, it was decided to postpone the start of the TGL season until early 2025.
The decision came after “reviewing short-term solutions, potential construction timelines, player schedules, and the primetime sports television calendar”.
For the record, TGL is promoted by TMRW Sports, a venture formed by sports executive Mike McCarley and Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, in partnership with the PGA Tour.
Woods was optimistic about the league’s future despite the delayed launch, saying: “I’ve been a believer in TGL, and as the momentum has built this past year, I’m even more excited about what this can become for fans of the game all around the world. Although the events of last week will force us to make adjustments to our timelines, I’m fully confident th,at this concept will be brought to life by our great committed players.”
McIlroy added: “The postponement brings mixed feelings of disappointment and excitement. Above all, we are happy that no one was injured. We are looking forward to the launch of TGL. Given the circumstances, while the delay is disappointing, the postponement will allow us to regroup, refocus and return stronger.”
Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president, Programming and Acquisitions, opined: “We are partners with TGL and fully support their decision. We have believed in them and their vision from the beginning, and that has not changed. The additional time to plan, test and rehearse will only make it better. We look forward to launching the inaugural season on ESPN.” TGL signed a multi-year media rights deal with ESPN in October to broadcast its events.
CNBC reports that while TGL has drawn some of the best golfers in the world as part of its lineup, it is unclear how the new timeline could affect player participation.
The league has also attracted a number of high-profile team owners and investors including hedge funder Steve Cohen, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Fenway Sports Group, internet entrepreneur and investor Alexis Ohanian and tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams. Other investors in the league include basketball great Stephen Curry, Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton, women’s soccer star Alex Morgan, singer Justin Timberlake and pro football’s Tony Romo and Josh Allen.
