Tuesday, November 10, 2026

ESPN, Tiger-Rory Golf League Close To Long-Term Deal

  • New entity backed by Woods, McIlroy nears critical agreement
  • Pact follows a series of high-profile additions to team ownership
TGL/TMRW Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Marking the latest significant development in the virtual golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, TGL is closing in on a major media rights pact with ESPN, sources confirmed to Front Office Sports.

The developing pact will give the upstart TGL sizable consumer reach given ESPN’s dominant status on the sports media landscape. It is not yet immediately clear whether the competition will be shown on linear or digital platforms, or both. 

An announcement is expected in the coming weeks, in advance of TGL’s planned season starting in January, but an agreement is not yet signed.

Majority owned by Woods and McIlroy through a shared investment vehicle, TMRW Sports, the tech-infused TGL will operate in partnership with the PGA Tour and feature competition on simulated courses in an arena-style environment. 

TGL continues to bring in major star power to its ownership ranks with recent additions including New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, Atlanta Falcons and United owner Arthur Blank, Fenway Sports Group, and the pairing of tennis superstar Serena Williams and husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

ESPN and parent company Disney, meanwhile, remain in the throes of significant transition of their own, including a recalibrating cable bundle and ongoing efforts to potentially bring outside investors for the sports media giant and perhaps sell ABC and its other linear networks.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Security officers secure the area as U.S. Vice President JD Vance plays golf at Trump Turnberry golf course, during his holiday, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, August 14, 2025.

Trump Turnberry’s Wait for Open Championship Drags On

The next available date is now 2030 with Carnoustie selected for 2029.

WTGL Has ‘Surreal’ Debut as Newest Women’s Sports League

Michelle Wie West starred in Los Angeles Golf Club’s win.
The ESPN logo is seen on an electronic display in Times Square in New York City, U.S., August 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Exclusive

ESPN Warns Talent About Insider Betting on Prediction Markets

The guidelines were sent to on-camera talent at the end of October.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/9/26 – Russini Makes Her Return, Press Secretary Dana White?, Kolek Retracts Swift Diss

0:00

Featured Today

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.

‘We Believe in Sports’: Skydance Combining HBO Max, Paramount+

Those services have rights to the NFL, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and more.
November 8, 2026

Mike Tirico Out for ‘Sunday Night Football’ With ‘Health Issue’

The game was set to be Tirico’s 300th NFL broadcast.
November 9, 2026

Dianna Russini Announces New Show With Offshore Sportsbook

BetUS announced ‘The Russini Report’ on Monday.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
November 6, 2026

College Football’s Loaded Saturday Sets Up Huge Day for ABC, ESPN

The networks will broadcast five top-25 matchups Saturday.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
First at FOS
November 6, 2026

Dianna Russini Set to Return to Media: What We Know

Russini’s new content is expected to be sponsored by gambling operators.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman during halftime at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
November 5, 2026

Julian Edelman: Foxborough ‘Will Be Rocking’ for Tom Brady’s Return

Brady will be calling a Patriots game for the first time.
ESPN analyst Pat McAfee broadcasts live from the sidelines of Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to the start of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game on November 15, 2025.
Opinion
November 5, 2026

How Did Pat McAfee Get So Polarizing?

Some of the criticism is self-inflicted. Some of it is unfair.