TGL, the new tech-forward, primetime, team golf league developed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports in partnership with the PGA TOUR, has announced the formation of the fourth of six team ownership groups with New York Mets owner Steven A. Cohen acquiring the rights to the New York team in TGL. His TGL team representing New York will be managed by his family office, Cohen Private Ventures, and will compete in TGL’s first season launching in January 2024. The announcement was made today by Cohen and Mike McCarley, CEO, TMRW Sports and TGL.
”We’re excited to partner with TMRW Sports and represent New York as a founding TGL team,” Cohen said. “As golf continues to grow in popularity, there’s a demand for enhanced access to the sport and the world’s top players. TGL’s primetime schedule will offer an up-close, fast-paced, and innovative take on the sport that will appeal to traditional golf and new fans alike. We’re excited to be a part of TGL and build a team that makes New York proud.”
Cohen is the Chairman and CEO of Point72, a global multi-strategy asset management firm. Cohen bought the iconic NY Mets major league baseball team in 2020 and serves as Chairman and CEO of the team. An avid philanthropist and entrepreneur, Cohen has founded and holds active leadership roles in a number of nonprofit organizations. In 2001, Cohen and his wife, Alexandra, founded the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which is committed to supporting Lyme and tickborne disease research, underserved communities, children, the arts, and sustainability. Cohen created Cohen Veterans Network and Cohen Veterans Bioscience in 2015 to improve the mental healthcare, treatment, and quality of life for veterans and their families. Cohen also serves on the Emeritus Board of the Robin Hood Foundation and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Board of Trustees.
“The addition of New York as a TGL team not only continues the success of adding major markets to TGL, but also adds an ownership group with strong ties to other major league teams and fanbases. Steve Cohen’s ability and willingness to operate, promote, and market this team to New York fans is a significant step as we build towards the launch of TGL in January,” McCarley said. “Steve’s passion for winning is undeniable and infectious, as he is a welcomed addition to our original six TGL owners. A Cohen-led TGL team representing New York, alongside strong ownership groups in Atlanta, Boston, and Los Angeles, will further elevate the profile of TGL on the global stage.”
TGL previously announced its first three of six ownership groups:
- TGL Atlanta, led by Arthur M. Blank
- TGL Boston, led by Fenway Sports Group
- Los Angeles Golf Club led by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams; as well as limited partners, the Antetokounmpo brothers
TGL’s team owners’ portfolios of teams currently spans the NFL, MLB, NHL, Premier League, NASCAR, MLS, and NWSL. TGL team names, brands, front office staff, and players will be unveiled later this year, as will the inaugural schedule and other operational and fan-centric elements of TGL.
TGL is a new primetime golf league that fuses technology and live action with teams of PGA TOUR stars across a season of matches starting in January 2024. TGL will be staged in a purpose-built arena in Palm Beach, Fla. on the campus of Palm Beach State College. Technology is a foundational element of TGL, offering fans a cutting-edge, shorter format presentation of team golf, featuring some of the PGA TOUR’s biggest superstars. Currently, 12 players committed to playing in TGL have been announced, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Billy Horschel. With currently 5 of the top 10 players in the world, this initial list of committed players has won 28 major championships, 190 PGA TOUR wins, and collectively has ranked as the World No. 1 for 886 weeks. Currently 9 announced TGL players will be representing their countries at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
· Teams: Six teams of three PGA TOUR players in head-to-head, match play. Four team ownership groups have now been finalized with TGL Atlanta, led by Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment; TGL Boston, led by the Fenway Sports Group; Los Angeles Golf Club, led by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams; and TGL New York, led by Steven A. Cohen.
· Tech-Forward Venue: A first-of-its-kind experience for golf enabled by a data-rich, virtual course paired with a tech-infused, short-game complex.
· Tech-Enabled Fan Experience: High-energy, greenside fan experience with every shot live within a two-hour, primetime televised match.
· Season: 15 regular season matches followed by semifinals and finals matches.
About Cohen Private Ventures:
Cohen Private Ventures invests long-term capital, primarily in direct private investments and other opportunistic transactions, and manages family office activities, on behalf of Steven A. Cohen and his family.
About TMRW Sports Group: (pronounced “tomorrow sports”)
Founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and sports executive Mike McCarley, TMRW Sports is focused on harnessing technology to build progressive approaches in sports, media, and entertainment to create new pathways for the next generation to enjoy sports. TMRW Sports’ first project, TGL, is in partnership with the PGA TOUR. TMRW Sports is supported by an all-star roster of athletes, celebrities, and business leaders from the worlds of sports, media, technology, and finance who make up a powerful and diverse investor group. TMRW Sports joins Woods’ TGR Ventures and McIlroy’s Symphony Ventures, and is led by McCarley, founder and CEO. For more, visit TMRWSportsGroup.com.
