TMRW Sports, the venture behind the new tech-infused TGL golf league, has announced a partnership with global e-commerce platform Fanatics.
Fanatics will set up an e-commerce platform for TGL, through its TGLGolf.com website, set to launch ahead of TGL’s inaugural season in January 2024.
The online store will sell licensed TGL merchandise for the league itself and its six teams, which will also be available on Fanatics’ own e-commerce sites.
Brian Swallow, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Fanatics, stated: “As this new innovative league aims to merge technology, star power, and golf, Fanatics looks forward to contributing to those efforts through a best-in-class e-commerce shopping experience which will feature a variety of our own designs.”
He continued: “Fanatics is uniquely positioned to help bring to life TGL’s vision of connecting golf through technology and culture, and will provide fans access with a rapid online and mobile commerce platform that helps them connect with their favorite new teams and golfers.”
Michael Rubin, chief executive and founder of Fanatics, is already an investor in TMRW Sports, having put money into an investment round for TGL in April 2023.
Rubin is joined in his investment by a myriad of sports stars who have bought into five of the league’s six teams so far, including NBA star Stephen Curry, who is leading an ownership group for the San Francisco franchise. Ownerships for teams representing Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York have also been announced.
TMRW Sports is a joint venture partnership formed by golfing legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, alongside media executive Mike McCarley. TGL itself is formed of a partnership between TMRW Sports and the PGA Tour, the world’s premier golf series.
TGL has already secured a multi-year media rights deal with sports broadcaster ESPN for its first season.
The league is set to kick off its inaugural season on January 9, 2024, with ESPN gaining rights to show all 15 regular-season matches, as well as the playoffs and finals.
Along with Woods and McIlroy, other players confirmed to compete are Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Tommy Fleetwood, Tom Kim, Tyrell Hatton, and Shane Lowry – leaving only two empty slots to be claimed.
