Steve Cohen is expanding his sports empire.
The Mets owner is looking for a hole-in-one by acquiring the rights to the New York team in a golf league (TGL) that is being backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, he said in a statement in conjunction with the league.
The organization will be managed by Cohen Private Ventures and will compete in TGL’s inaugural season, which is set to begin in January.
The TGL is a team golf league founded by Woods, Rory McIlroy and former Golf Channel president Mike McCarley under their media venture TMRW Sports, which has partnered with the PGA Tour.
The premise of the new team golf league — which will feature PGA Tour stars — is a mix of technology and live action set in a stadium that houses in-person fans and will be broadcast on television.
”We’re excited to partner with TMRW Sports and represent New York as a founding TGL team,” Cohen said in the statement. “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.”
The league already has commitments from golfers Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel.
Woods and McIlroy also will compete.
The TGL will consist of three-man teams competing in an 18-hole match that will see players utilize a simulator for the long shots and live shots for the shorter ones, with play expected to take just two hours.
The league will feature 15 regular season matches followed by semifinals and finals matches, all of which will be broadcast in primetime.
Matches will take place at an arena being constructed in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla on the campus of Palm Beach State College.
“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.”
The six-team TGL has already announced ownership groups for teams in Atlanta (Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank), Boston (Fenway Sports Group) and Los Angeles (Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams with limited partners the Antetokounmpo brothers as limited partners).
Matches will take place at an arena on the campus of Palm Beach State College.