Serena Williams’ TGL Team Secures $90 Million Investment from Ilitch Sports

The Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC), part of the tech-focused TGL golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has secured nearly $90 million in new funding from Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. The investment will see Ilitch take a leading role in the team’s operations, sponsorship, and brand development.

The Serena and Venus Williams-backed team is one of six franchises in TGL, which blends traditional golf with technology and entertainment elements in an indoor, made-for-broadcast format. The league aims to attract younger audiences and new sponsors through shorter, high-production events supported by advanced data and simulation technology.

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, which owns the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and MLB’s Detroit Tigers, will bring its experience in team management and venue operations to the partnership. The firm is also expected to contribute expertise in analytics, fan engagement, and media rights monetisation.

The capital injection comes ahead of TGL’s second season and is intended to accelerate team development, marketing, and content expansion. LAGC has already drawn attention for its ownership group, which includes Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams, and for its role in pioneering athlete-led ownership models in emerging sports formats.

TGL, backed by the PGA Tour, aims to establish itself as a complementary property to traditional golf tournaments, focusing on innovation, accessibility, and global appeal. The reported investment further validates its business model, which blends competition with entertainment and technology integration.

The funding round also suggests growing institutional confidence in tech-enabled sports properties as investors seek opportunities beyond established leagues. With high-profile athletes and experienced operators involved, the TGL model is being closely watched as a test case for the next evolution of golf as a media product.