• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 21, 2025

While Nelly Korda Chases History, LPGA Tries to Close a Coverage Gap

  • The women’s golf tour began a media deal with the network last year.
  • Streaming coverage of the LPGA is far smaller than on the PGA Tour.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Scottie Scheffler isn’t playing in the PGA Tour’s next $20 million signature event this week as the Masters champion and winner of four out of his last five tournaments continues to await the birth of his first child. However, on the LPGA Tour, Nelly Korda (above), winner of five straight, is back in action looking to become the first women’s golfer to claim six consecutive victories.

As the action unfolds, ESPN+ is pulling double duty on its golf coverage—but not all things are equal. The streaming service will broadcast from the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, and the Cognizant Founders Cup in Clifton, N.J., which carries a $3 million purse. While ESPN’s separate media-rights deals with those tours aren’t directly correlated with the difference in prize money this week (or any other), it does highlight the disparity between the men’s and women’s games off the course.

During the first two rounds Thursday and Friday, viewers of PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will be able to choose from a main feed, marquee groups, featured groups, and featured holes before afternoon coverage on Golf Channel. ESPN is paying the PGA Tour $75 million annually, according to The New York Times. LPGA fans have two featured group options during each of the morning and afternoon waves ahead of afternoon coverage on Peacock. “The women’s production is slimmer than the PGA Tour production,” John Lasker, senior vice president at ESPN+, admits in a conversation with Front Office Sports

Room to Grow

The Founders Cup is just the third LPGA event with ESPN+ coverage since a streaming deal was struck in November (NBC Sports is the LPGA’s primary media-rights holder). ESPN+ will broadcast from two more LPGA events this year and eight total during the lifespan of the deal that runs into 2025. ESPN wouldn’t comment on the financial terms of the LPGA deal, although a source tells FOS that the tour is sharing production costs with the network. Lasker says production resources, financing, and sponsorship capability dictate what ESPN+ can and can’t offer.

“Deals come in all shapes and sizes,” Lasker says. “So, I wouldn’t suggest that the LPGA deal is really an outlier or overly unique. We do deals that look and smell like this all the time.” While ESPN+ doesn’t release viewership metrics, Lasker claims the LPGA coverage so far has exceeded expectations. 

Overall, the LPGA deal is part of ESPN’s growing portfolio of women’s sports, from the WNBA to college sports to the NWSL and more. Lasker wouldn’t rule out expanding LPGA coverage when the time is right. “If you just compare [golf] to any other sport, it’s crazy to imagine that there’s action happening that isn’t distributed and available,” he says.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Sues Miami for ‘Tampering’ With Football Transfer

Xavier Lucas signed NIL deals in Madison before transferring to Miami.
Mar 12, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ace Bailey (4) shoots the ball while USC Trojans guard Kevin Patton Jr. (8) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Ace Bailey Cancels Sixers Workout a Week Before NBA Draft

The former Rutgers star is a projected top-three pick in Wednesday’s draft.
exclusive

LeBron James’s Growing Amazon Ties Could Lead to Prime Role

James has praised Prime’s NBA talent hires for the 2025–26 season.,

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.
Tyrese Haliburton
June 16, 2025

NBA Finals Ratings Up Again in Game 4 but Still Down Overall

More than nine million people watched Games 3 and 4.
Thunder
June 16, 2025

NBA, ABC Air Finals Lineup Intros After Fan Complaints

ABC aired player intros for the first time in 12 years Monday. 
Anthony Slater
exclusive
June 13, 2025

Top Warriors Reporter Anthony Slater Leaving The Athletic for ESPN

Anthony Slater starts at ESPN later this summer.