Mets owner Steve Cohen acquires New York TGL team

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen acquired the New York TGL team, Cohen Private Ventures announced Thursday morning. Here’s what you need to know:

TGL is the new golf league from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports venture. Six teams of three PGA Tour players will face off in head-to-head match play beginning in January 2024.
The previously announced teams include Atlanta (led by Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank), Boston (led by Fenway Sports Group) and Los Angeles (led by Alexis Ohanian, Serena Williams and Venus Williams).
Twelve PGA Tour players have agreed to participate in the league: Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel.
Cohen bought the Mets for $2.4 billion in November 2020. The Wilpon family previously ran the club for 34 years.

What they’re saying

“We’re excited to partner with TMRW Sports and represent New York as a founding TGL team,” Cohen said in a 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.”

Mike McCarley, CEO of TMRW Sports and TGL, said the addition of a New York 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. A Cohen-led TGL team representing New York, alongside strong ownership groups in Atlanta, Boston, and Los Angeles, will further elevate the profile of TGL on the global stage.”

What is TGL?

The league, first announced in August of last year, will feature six teams of three PGA Tour players in a custom-built “tech-infused” venue.

The two-hour competitions take place Monday nights and the schedule will complement the PGA Tour’s. There will be 15 regular-season matches followed by semifinals and finals.

What is TMRW Sports?

Woods and McIlroy, along with McCarley, announced the new company “focused on building technology-focused ventures that feature progressive approaches to sports, media and entertainment” last year.

Television executive Dick Ebersol was an initial investor. In November, the company announced a star-studded group of new investors spanning 26 active and retired athletes, including NBA star Steph Curry, baseball’s Shohei Ohtani, F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Bills quarterback Josh Allen and tennis greats Serena Williams and Andy Murray.

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(Photo: Brian Rothmuller / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)