The indoor golf venture backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will have to wait another year before its debut. Plus: NBC has parted ways with lead golf analyst Paul Azinger; Amazon will want playoff games in its bid for the NBA.
Tiger-backed TGL debut postponed until 2025
The Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy-backed indoor golf venture TGL announced Monday that it has postponed its inaugural season until early 2025 due to damage at its custom-built, technologically-enhanced host venue. All TGL events were to take place at an air-supported dome in Florida, but a power failure last week caused the dome to deflate and damage some of the technological equipment.
The TGL was to debut in January on ESPN, with at least the first two weeks airing in primetime on the flagship ESPN network. (TGL)
Azinger out at NBC after five years
NBC has not renewed its contract with lead golf analyst Paul Azinger, it was reported Sunday. Azinger joined NBC in 2018 as the replacement for longtime lead analyst Johnny Miller. The move was an apparent surprise to Azinger, who told the Associated Press that he had expected to call next month’s World Challenge golf event for NBC. There was no immediate indication of who would replace Azinger in the role.
Prior to joining NBC, Azinger served as the lead analyst for US Open golf coverage on FOX and prior to that was the lead analyst for golf events on ESPN/ABC. (AP 11.19)
Amazon would want playoffs in NBA bid
The NBA Playoffs would constitute an “important part” of an Amazon NBA media rights bid, company executive Jay Marine told “The Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast” this week. No “Big Four” playoff game has ever aired exclusively on a streaming service, but there will be precedent as soon as January — when the NFL airs one of its playoff games exclusively on Peacock. (The NFL game will still air on local television in the participating markets.)
Beyond disclosing Amazon’s interest in the NBA Playoffs, Marine confirmed what has been an open secret for multiple years — that Amazon is interested in NBA rights. (NYP 11.20)
