Former US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie West and renowned US women’s soccer icon Alex Morgan have recently invested in the Los Angeles-based franchise of the Technology-Driven Golf League (TGL). Their investment further strengthens the star-studded ownership group of the Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC), which already includes Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian (Reddit co-founder and Serena Williams' husband), Venus Williams, and NBA star Giannis Antetokoumpo, along with his three brothers.
The overarching goal of LAGC and the TGL is to make golf more accessible to a wider audience. As part of this commitment, LAGC has pledged to allocate ten percent of its sponsorship revenue to community-based programs throughout Southern California.
The TGL stands out as a six-team golf competition with a focus on technological innovation and a shorter format designed to appeal to a broad demographic. The league is backed by TMRW Sports, a venture initiated by golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, along with former NBC Sports executive Mike McCarley.
Besides Los Angeles, other TGL franchises have been confirmed in Boston, New York, and Atlanta, with ownership groups including Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, respectively.
The inaugural TGL season is set to commence in January, and ESPN is reportedly nearing a broadcast rights deal for the league, according to the Financial Times (FT).
Michelle Wie West expressed her excitement about teaming up with her fellow LAGC owners, highlighting the potential to create more opportunities for female golfers through the league. She noted their shared passion for growing women's sports and leveraging technology to introduce a new format that could involve mixed team events and greater female participation.
Wie West also emphasised the TGL's potential to broaden golf's accessibility, making it more accommodating for individuals interested in the sport but unable to dedicate lengthy hours to traditional golf outings. The league's innovative approach aims to introduce golf to a broader audience, catering to city dwellers, new parents with limited time, and those seeking social golf experiences in non-traditional settings.