Woods- and McIlroy-backed TGL golf league launch delayed following venue damage
The highly anticipated launch of TGL, the cutting-edge stadium-based golf league co-founded by modern golfing greats Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has been delayed until 2025 following damage to its Florida venue.
The virtual golf competition, developed in collaboration with the PGA Tour, was initially scheduled to commence on January 9, 2024. However, a power outage led to the collapse of the air-supported dome roof at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, prompting a one-year postponement.
The incident, which occurred on November 14, resulted in no injuries and the majority of the league’s technology infrastructure remained unaffected. TGL made the decision to postpone after consultations with key stakeholders, including players, six-team ownership groups, PGA Tour leadership, and commercial partners such as SoFi, ESPN and Palm Beach State College.
In a statement, TGL explained, “This decision came after reviewing short-term solutions, potential construction timelines, player schedules, and the primetime sports television calendar.”
“Despite this new timeline for the venue, we remain excited about the future of TGL and will continue to build excitement between now and the start of the season with our players, fans, and teams. We have begun to update plans and timelines and are confident that the extension will only improve our delivery.”
Significant setback for the “The Golf League,” #TGL, after the fabric on its indoor facility collapsed in Palm Beach Gardens. The six-team league was supposed to debut on Jan. 9 on #ESPN – now delayed for an entire year. pic.twitter.com/odSmvXU5wI
— Jim Grimes (@jimgrimes) November 21, 2023
Earlier in the month, TGL introduced its sixth team, Jupiter Links Golf Club, with Woods’ TGR Ventures leading the ownership group. Founded by Woods, McIlroy and businessman Mike McCarley, TGL has already enlisted 24 PGA Tour players for its inaugural season, including superstars Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler.
The six competing teams—Los Angeles Golf Club, Atlanta Drive Golf Club, Boston Common Golf, Jupiter Links Golf Club, TGL New York and TGL San Francisco—will engage in two-hour, head-to-head matches at the specifically built SoFi Center arena. The league will feature 15 regular-season matches, followed by playoffs.
Woods will be representing Jupiter Links, while Mcllory will play for Boston Common.
TGL secured a major broadcast deal with ESPN last month, underlining the network’s commitment to the partnership despite the forced delay.
“Although the events of last week will force us to make adjustments to our timelines, I’m fully confident that this concept will be brought to life by our great committed players,” Woods said
Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, expressed confidence in TGL’s vision.
“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,” Durant affirmed.
“The additional time to plan, test, and rehearse will only make it better. We look forward to launching the inaugural season on ESPN.”
TMRW Sports, the sports entertainment venture by Woods, McIlroy and McCarley, recently finalised a multi-year commercial partnership with SoFi Technologies, designating the digital personal finance company as the presenting sponsor of TGL and the league’s arena title sponsor.
