LIV Golf is on the verge of striking a TV rights deal with CW, the fifth largest commercial television outlet in the United States.
According to Sports Illustrated, CW has no other sports properties and previously showed the WWE Smackdown between 2006-08.
Rumours surfaced about a potential TV deal when LIV Golf commentator David Feherty dropped a hint of the deal during a comedy appearance in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“Have you heard of CW?” Feherty reportedly told the crowd after the show ended. “I might get fired for this, but… “
Reportedly, the deal would involve revenue sharing between both parties with no TV rights fee and would represent a major coup for the Saudi backed golf tour who have been pressing hard for a television deal since its establishment in 2021.
LIV Golf’s first event of 2023 is next month at Mayakoba Golf Course in Mexico from February 24th.
CW doesn’t sound like an ideal fit for LIV Golf as it is not a big-time network in the US, it is not known for broadcasting sporting events and it is not a popular destination for golf watchers.
However, the network does attract a young audience demographic and is a national network with a big reach.
A potential agreement would bring all 14 of LIV’s events to approximately 100 million homes in the US as Greg Norman’s charges look to increase their standing in the world of golf.
LIV had previously been streamed on Youtube or DAZN. The 48-player lineup for LIV Mayakoba has not been announced yet nor has the 12-team league.
LIV rebels Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Bernd Wiesberger, Adrian Otaegui, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield are in action on the DP World Tour over the next two weeks.
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