Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Live Sports Return to Turner With Star-Studded Charity Golf Event

  • Turner Sports says it is ‘completely sold out of sponsorships’ for the Champions for Charity exhibition May 24.
  • Program follows NBC golf telecast last weekend, which drew 2.3 million viewers.
Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NBC Sports took the first shot at broadcasting live golf during the coronavirus pandemic with the TaylorMade Driving Relief charity event on May 17. The event drew 2.3 million viewers across the network’s linear and digital channels, including PGA Tour Live on NBC Sports Gold. 

Now, it’s Turner Sports’ turn.

The WarnerMedia subsidiary will air The Match: Champions for Charity – featuring Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady – on May 24, live from Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.

The exhibition marks the first live sporting event for Turner Sports since the NBA and UEFA Champions League suspended play in March. Turner Sports also owns distribution rights to MLB and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

READ MORE: Consensus Hard To Come By Around Student-Athlete NIL Opportunities

“[This event has] really been months of preparation, and it’s touched every part of our organization,” Craig Barry, Turner Sports chief content officer, said. “Despite the pandemic, and everyone working remotely, we’ve all come together in support of the event. We have four of the most iconic athletes on the planet involved, and hope fans will be able to take a break and enjoy it.”

Champions for Charity, the second charity golf event for COVID-19 relief in as many weeks, will be broadcast on TNT, TBS, HLN, and truTV. Fans can also stream the match online and on TNT and TBS’s mobile apps. 

Turner Sports first announced the exhibition on May 7. A lack of premium live sports during the coronavirus pandemic has helped to amplify market interest. Capital One is the presenting sponsor of the event.

“We’re completely sold out of sponsorships,” Barry said. “The TNT telecast and coverage across Bleacher Report and House of Highlights is nearly sold out as well, and we know that many of these advertisers and partners are using this event to try out new ways of engaging with fans.”

To produce the golf event, Turner Sports is limiting personnel to those essential to the broadcast. Most staff have also been hired locally.

“We’re working very closely with the tournament organizers and the PGA Tour, along with state and local government and public health officials, on all competition and production logistics to ensure the event follows safety and health protocols,” Barry said.

READ MORE: NBA, Turner Grow Engagement With Twitter Show and Free League Pass

In addition to the $10 million devoted to coronavirus relief from stakeholders involved, VIP experiences that include putting lessons with Woods and golf rounds with Mickelson will be auctioned off as part of Fanatics’ All-In Challenge initiative.

Excel Sports and Lagardére Sports will serve as co-tournament directors. The companies represent Woods and Mickelson, respectively.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PGA Tour’s Two-Track Future on Display in the Carolinas This Week

Tournaments are taking place in Charlotte and Myrtle Beach, S.C.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)

Leagues Weigh In on Future Prediction Market Regulation

Safeguarding integrity and protecting consumers were common themes.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Jon Rahm in action during the third round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.

7 Questions About LIV After Saudis Pull Funding

LIV’s 2026 season is scheduled to run through August.
Mar 8, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill.

5 of Top 15 Ranked PGA Tour Players Skipping Trump Doral Return

Rory McIlroy and others are not playing the $20 million event.

Featured Today

Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
Kaitlin Oaks (left) from Tampa looks at photos with Layla Abutha from Tampa while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
May 1, 2026

Kentucky Derby Is Courting Gen Z

Churchill Downs is mixing traditional splendor with a youthful atmosphere.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
April 22, 2026

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
San Francisco, CA - February 5, 2016- The GeneralÕs Residence at Fort Mason: Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless on the remote set of First Take during coverage for Super Bowl 50.(Photo by Tony Avelar / ESPN Images)
exclusive
May 4, 2026

Skip Bayless to Appear on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ on Friday

Bayless previously hosted “First Take” from 2007 to 2016.
Apr 22, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (14) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Grand Casino Arena.
May 4, 2026

Main Street Sports Now One Step Closer to Official Demise

The embattled regional sports network operator reaches another inflection point.
Sponsored

18 Years as an NBA Exec: Dave Checketts Tells All

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
May 3, 2026

Kentucky Derby Breaks Viewership Record with 19.6M

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most-watched U.S. sports events.
John Fanta
May 1, 2026

NBC Bets on a Bigger Kentucky Derby Weekend

The Oaks moved to primetime, and Fanta will report from the infield.
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
May 1, 2026

Schedule Release Could Make Mike Vrabel NFL’s Punching Bag

Unfortunately for Vrabel, the Patriots face the Chargers in 2026.
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2026

NFL Network Dark on Comcast in First Carriage Dispute Under ESPN

The dispute does not involve Disney or ESPN’s other channels.