PGA TV Contracts

www.calhoungolf.com

PGA TV Contracts

Advertise on
CalhounGolf.com

CalhounGolf
e-newsletter

Has the PGA Lost Something?

With the beginning of the new golf season, it’s time to think about what the news will be this year. How will the game progress? What influences will the game have here and abroad and who will be the major players? With all the hype about the 2007 golf season and the new PTA Tour TV contracts, looking at the new season is a great way to start off my first “Two Cents Worth” for the year.

As you’ve probably heard, the big winner of the 2007 PGA Tour contracts, of course, is The Golf Channel. This represents a major financial boon for the continually rising cable network. But when we take a look at the big picture, what’s really behind the curtain? No knock to The Golf Channel, but it’s hard for me to believe The Golf Channel can provide the level of production offered by an ABC or ESPN with years of established credibility.

When I was a contestant on The Golf Channel's “The Big Break” a few years back, many of the participants felt inconvenienced because they had to wait for camera crews to move from one location to the next to set up. I can remember one of the staff workers said that if The Golf Channel had the financial backing like an ESPN, crews would be set up at each location. Unless The Golf Channel has grown in its capabilities, I wonder whether this network will be able to pull it off like the big players.

I believe the PGA Tour couldn’t get their “ideal” contract because of something they’ve lost. TV contracts for the PGA Tour blossomed several years ago because of the entrance of Tiger Woods into the game. But now that Tiger’s been on the scene for 10 years, he’s started to become diluted. Even I, a Tiger fan, don’t feel as enthusiastic as I once did about this great player. The problem with the PGA Tour is this: It lacks the diversity that is a major component of today’s sporting world. Tournament golf is tremendously expensive, and it’s hard to find money; therefore, diversity in the game suffers.

Whose fault is that? Everyone who loves the game and wants to see the best play, but is not willing to provide an opportunity for ALL people who want to play at the highest level. Why do so many people tune into football, baseball, basketball? Because these sports are reflective of their fans, and people are willing to spend money to see their own. Until the PGA Tour becomes more diverse, it will not continue to grow as it has in the past. This is just my two cents worth.