Fox Sports is taking a new swing at TV golf by striking a deal with LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed league that has been luring top players away from PGA Tour and has been seeking a wider presence in U.S. media.
Under terms of the deal, more than half of the league’s schedule will appear on the Fox broadcast network or Fox Sports 1. Select rounds will air on FS2, Fox Business Network and the Fox Sports app. Nearly all of the league’s 210 hours will be carried live on some part of the Fox Corp. portfolio.
Financial terms of the deal, termed as “multi-year” were not disclosed. Fox Sports previously showed the U.S. Open in a pact with U.S. Golf Association, but got out of that deal in 2020 due to pressures under the coronavirus pandemic.
“LIV Golf is getting bigger and bolder, and this relationship signals the next phase of growth as our League joins the company of the nation’s premier sports leagues and conferences,” said Scott O’Neil, named CEO of LIV Golf in recent days. “LIV Golf is drawing a younger, more active and tech-savvy fan base, and as our players and teams prepare for LIV Golf’s biggest season yet, this agreement will take our broadcast to new heights.”
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LIV Golf had previously aired on Nexstar’s CW network, but garnered low ratings during its run.
The two sides said LIV Golf broadcasts will continue to be produced with thje league’s in-house team. Current announcers will return, with Arlo White leading play-by-play alongside analysts David Feherty and Jerry Foltz in the booth, and Dom Boulet and Su-Ann Heng providing coverage on the course.
“The addition of LIV Golf is a natural fit for Fox Sports’ prominent slate of big events, world-class names and premium sports coverage,” said Jordan Bazant, executive vice president of Fox Sports.