The launch of TGL, the new tech-infused stadium-based golf league launched by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has been postponed until 2025 after its venue in Florida was damaged.
The virtual golf competition, which is being launched in partnership with the PGA Tour, was due to start on January 9, 2024, but has now been pushed back by a year after a power outage caused the air-supported dome roof to collapse at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens.
The damage occurred overnight last Tuesday (November 14) and the organizers said there were no injuries and most of the technology was not impacted.
TGL stated that the decision was taken following discussions with key partners, including players, the six-team ownership groups, PGA Tour leadership and commercial partners, SoFi, ESPN, and Palm Beach State College.
In a statement, it added: “This decision came after reviewing short-term solutions, potential construction timelines, player schedules, and the prime-time 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.”
Earlier this month, TGL had announced the formation of its sixth and final side, Jupiter Links Golf Club, with Woods’ TGR Ventures heading up the ownership group.
TGL was founded by Woods, McIlroy, and businessman Mike McCarley, chief executive of TGL and the trio’s sports entertainment venture TMRW Sports.
The league has already signed up 24 PGA Tour players for the inaugural season, including Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, and Rickie Fowler.
Six teams of four players are set to compete in the TGL. They are the Los Angeles Golf Club, Atlanta Drive Golf Club, Boston Common Golf, Jupiter Links Golf Club, TGL New York, and TGL San Francisco.
Woods is set to compete for Jupiter Links, while McIlroy will play for Boston Common.
The six teams will play two-hour, head-to-head matches in SoFi Center, the new specifically built arena. There will be 15 regular season matches, with playoffs to follow.
Woods said: “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.”
Last month, TGL secured its first major broadcast deal with ESPN, the Disney-owned international sports network, under a multi-year contract.
The broadcaster has reassured the league that it remains committed to the partnership despite the forced delay.
Rosalyn Durant, ESPN executive vice president of programming and acquisitions, said: “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.
“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 recently agreed a multi-year commercial partnership with SoFi Technologies to make the digital personal finance company the presenting sponsor of TGL and the league’s arena title sponsor.
