Tiger in PGA's tank brings big bucks
Alphabet web gets 71 events, Eye 68
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"The PGA has chalked up very solid increases in a down economy," said Neal Pilson, former president of CBS Sports, who runs his own sports consultancy. Four years ago, before Woods became a worldwide golf superstar, the PGA Tour pocketed about $650 million in total four-year license fees, according to TN Media. The current contract expires at the end of 2002.
In the new deal (covering 2003-06), the configuration of PGA events follows roughly the pattern of the existing lineup. ABC gets the most, 71 events, keeping three of the four World Golf Championships and adding the Nissan Open, Phoenix Open, Buick Invitational and Kemper Open.
CBS has bought 68 events, the same number as in the 1999-2002 deal. NBC has picked up 22 events.
In cable, USA has more than doubled its coverage of the PGA Tour starting in 2003, signing up for early-round cablecasts of 120 events, plus four-day coverage of 12 events. ESPN will do the early rounds of 36 events and four-day coverage of 21 events. Golf Channel will be the home of the Buy.com Tour, and will run the flagship show "Inside the PGA Tour."
The four major tournaments are not part of this deal. ABC will cover the British Open, CBS has the Masters and has extended its deal for the PGA Championship through 2005 and NBC will broadcast the U.S. Open.
Pilson said the networks are gung-ho about the PGA because "It requires all of its sponsors to buy media time, ensuring that the networks maintain their advertising revenues."
