Sports Bloat...

and how TGL is getting involved

Author

Sean Melia
November 03, 2023

Quick announcement:

While this won’t affect you, you might have noticed that this newsletter looks a bit different from past ones I’ve sent. That’s because I moved…

As great as the Internet is, there is rarely one thing that answers every question. It’s why Twitter, reddit, LinkedIn, and Instagram all exist.

In my case, my web host made it impossible to save my past newsletters. They lived in our inboxes, and that was that.

However, for the right price (free!), Beehiiv will host the newsletter and store all my newsletters on its site. Here’s to hitting zero snags in this process.

You don’t have to do anything differently, BUT as usual, it would be swell if you shared this with anyone you think might like my musings in their inbox every Friday morning.

SPORTS BLOAT

I think we might have reached peak sports bloat.

Bill Simmons, in a recent podcast, lamented the fact that the regular season doesn’t seem to matter anymore (The NHL was way ahead of the curve here…). Baseball’s best teams from this year bowed out uncomfortably early, and the 90-win Texas Rangers beat the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks in five games in the World Series (The Red Sox were an abomination this season and won 78 games, six worse than the NL representative in the league’s crown jewel).

The NFL has added a 17th game while sending teams to Europe on a near-weekly basis.

The NBA’s in-season tournament kicks off on Friday night, where teams will compete in regular season games that also go toward a round-robin pool system with five teams in six pools. They’ll play on different heinous courts to signify to viewers that this is not just a regular season game but also an in-season game.

More bloat.

Golf is also getting in on the bloat action.

This week, the new high-tech indoor golf league run by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy dropped a few little nuggets to entice golf sickos and generate online engagement.

NOTE: I tried to make 100% sure I knew what TGL stood for, and either I’m an idiot (very possible), or it’s impossible to find on the internet. I’m assuming it stands for The Golf League or for those from Ohio THE Golf League.

The Boston Common Golf Team rolled out their roster, which is, admittedly, sick. Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, Tyrell Hatton, and Adam Scott make up the Frogs roster. Basically, it’s Hatton and guys from three British colonies representing Boston. Perfect.

The fact that they are representing Boston means nothing at this point. Every match will occur at the SoFi Center at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Although, the image of a Championship Duck Boat rally through Boston for these guys is absolutely hilarious. I think Keegan’s head would explode.

Are there pieces of this league that seem interesting and enticing?

Sure.

They’re playing on grass, and shots under 100 yards will be hit to some crazy mechanical green that can be changed for each hole. The SoFi Center will seat 1,600 spectators, and it will be aired on ESPN starting January 9 (filling the Monday Night Football hole in everyone’s heart at that point.)

The format is, frankly, confusing and convoluted. There will be a team of three (there’s always an alternate because, you know, these golfers also have tournaments to play in January and February…). Each match is 15 holes, which might be the best part; let’s normalize varying golf course lengths. There’s a three-way alternate shot for nine holes and then head-to-head matches for the last six holes. (If you want the brain-melting details, check them here.)

With bloat comes confusion. In order to stand out, the “new thing” has to be different. Has to be a disruptor.

Will the format round into form and make sense once it’s on TV? Maybe.

But let’s talk about when the TGL is on TV.

Golf has a lot of downtime. It’s why many of us love it. I think many hope that players will talk trash while also providing an opportunity to see some of these players in a more up-close and personal environment.

We’ve watched a lot of these guys in mic ’d-up events, and they’re just not always great. They aren’t comedians, but most fans assume they all partake in witty banter constantly. And with the indoor aspect of the game, the outdoor elements won’t really create a lot of interesting dialogue about strategy.

Deep down, golfers know a lot of the on-course banter becomes rather redundant, and some trash talk isn’t really suitable for TV… (I’m guessing a “Does your husband play?” quip on ESPN won’t land too firmly… Tiger will probably leave the tampons at home, too).

One thing I’m interested in seeing is if this is able to ride the wave of the best window of PGA Tour golf during the year or if it fizzles because people are getting their fix Thursday-Sunday. The PGA Tour visits some of its best sites from January to April - Kapalua, Riviera, Pebble Beach, TPC Scottsdale.

It’s an incredible stretch that doesn’t feel like it needs this type of thing.

You know when it would be great to have this product? Monday’s in the fall.

But everyone is afraid of going up against the Raiders and Lions on a Monday Night (and the ESPN partnership obviously complicates that fact, too).

The PGA Tour seems to be doubling down on this window of the year. Give the winter-bound golfers a taste of golf at far-off beautiful destinations, and then hit them on Monday with something a little different.

Jon Rahm, who lives in Arizona, doesn’t see the value in traveling all over the country to compete in this. It’s going to be a bit of a Florida boys club, simply because that’s where all these matches are.

Now, I’m no fool in thinking that TGL is designed for me. I fall out of their target demographic.

I’m also not naive enough to think that they are taking this seriously as a competitive outlet that will have people on the edge of their seats (They certainly won’t be comparing it to Ryder Cups like Talor Gooch after a LIV event).

I’m just not totally sure who this is for. The degenerate gambler? Gen Z?

Picking the right characters and analysts to host the broadcast will be a big part of the TV success. It’s also vital that TGL understands who the target audience is and doesn’t try to be something for everyone.

As the sports bloat continues, we’ll have more choices for our sports entertainment; the problem is, how much of it is even entertaining anymore?

Are you excited about TGL

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Picture of the week: Winchester CC

The 10th green with Boston Skyline

When I’m not golfing…

I’m gambling….(Every week, because it's now legal in Mass. I'm going to make five NFL picks and keep track of them here.)

  • Last Week: 3-2 (Season record: 23-17)

    • Ravens (-6) over Seahawks

    • Texans (-3) over Bucs

    • Cardinals (+8) over Browns

    • Raiders (-1.5) Giants

    • Panthers (+2.5) Colts

I’m reading… Adam Grant’s new book Hidden Potential. I’m already digging it, some wild stuff about Kindergarten teachers and the long-term impact they have on earning power.

The New York Times had a great story on a new Florida banning books smartphones in the classroom. Some have gone even further and made banned them during the entire school day. One big complaint from teenagers is they can’t get in touch with their parents. When I was a teacher, I watched hundreds of middle schoolers get in their cars at the end of the day and ignore their parents while scrolling on their phones with airpods jammed in their ears to text with their friends they just ignored at carpool while they were staring at their phones. Gift article right here for ya.

I’m listening to… Joe Mazzula on J.J. Reddick’s podcast. A lot of great nuggets and insight. After a year of learning on the job, the way the Cs have started is showing he’s on the right track. 

Zane Lowe recommended A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Atmospheric music. Great for working.

I’m eating… Trader Joe’s nuts (hehe) might be the best deal in the world of food. I picked up their sesame cashews, Everything flavor mix, and salt and pepper pistachios for the same price as like five almonds at Whole Foods.

Tiff and I took Murph down to a dog park in the North End on Saturday. We swing by Monica’s to grab some lunch. I had never been to the sandwich heaven, so I ordered the Italian. Incredible. Needless to say, lunch erased dinner. Just a massive sub.

I’m drinking… apple cider. Hot, cold, spiked, whatever.

I’m watching… Iona Stephens’ interview with Adam Scott. Two incredible accents. Adam Scott, who is a pretty quiet character, always has great things to say when he speaks. Watch here.

I'm (shamelessly) plugging...

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