The GIST

PGA Tour Superstore CEO Jill Spiegel sheds light on industry trends

Golf is seeing an unprecedented glow-up, with the game becoming increasingly younger and diverse. With more people picking up the clubs than ever, PGA Tour Superstore president Jill Spiegel spoke with The GIST last week about the major trends driving the sport, including how women and fashion play a major role.

October 07, 2024

The 2024 Solheim Cup capitalizes on record ticket sales, coverage, and brand partners

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The Solheim Cup began in Gainesville, Virginia, yesterday, capping off months of hard work by the LPGA to level up the biennial tournament. While the last stateside event drew a record 130K fans in 2021, the LPGA has garnered more ticket interest, corporate partners, and TV coverage than ever before, positioning the tourney to break some records.

September 13, 2024

Tiger Woods’ TMRW Sports valued at $500M thanks to golf leisure boom

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On Monday, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TMRW Sports — parent company of the tech-forward TGL golf competition — announced that it’s valued at nearly $500M, impressive considering TGL hasn’t even begun play. Without any product to show yet, the valuation speaks volumes about the league’s owners and investors, as well as the booming golf leisure space.

June 26, 2024

Chevron further invests in LPGA through expanded Chevron Championship prize purse

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The LPGA announced an extended partnership with energy corporation Chevron yesterday, which includes continued title sponsorship of the Chevron Championship through 2029 and a $7.9M prize purse this year.

April 17, 2024

Ally becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, U.S. Open, and U.S. Women’s Open

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The LPGA is following up last week’s game-changing sponsorship announcements with another one — this time, with Ally. It’s the progressive online bank’s first move into the golf space as it becomes the official retail banking partner of the USGA, U.S. Open, and U.S. Women’s Open.

February 02, 2024

The LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour merger was blocked late last year

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A massive merger between the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour (LET) that was initially announced in 2019 was reportedly blocked late last year after Golf Saudi — one of LET’s largest financial backers through Saudi state oil company Aramco — intervened.

January 29, 2024

The LPGA announces three major sponsors this week

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Three major announcements from big-name sponsors this week reflect growing LPGA interest as men’s and women’s sports leagues continue to team up.

January 26, 2024

The LPGA and PGA Tour are launching their first mixed-team event

Sports Business

The LPGA and PGA Tour are launching their first mixed-team event

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December 06, 2023

This weekend, the LPGA and PGA Tour will field a long-awaited crossover at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational, the first mixed-team event of its kind.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #420

A Heisman Trophy explainer, way-too-early NFL award predictions & a dive into the Women’s Lacrosse League

December 12, 2024

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A Heisman Trophy explainer, way-too-early NFL award predictions & a dive into the Women’s Lacrosse League

Hey there!

End-of-year awards season chatter is growing by the minute, and the football world is no exception. The fun begins on Saturday, when the Heisman Trophy, aka, the MVP award of college football, will be handed out. Before the winner is named, today’s episode of The GIST of It begins with an explainer on one of the most important trophies in college sports and the four players in contention for the coveted prize.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With just four weeks left in the NFL regular season, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their way-too-early picks for some end-of-season NFL awards, along with their thoughts as to how the playoff picture might shape up.

And last but not least, the new Women’s Lacrosse League announced their inaugural four-team names yesterday, so the gals are taking a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

A big thank you to Aflac for partnering with us on today’s episode! Add Aflac to your team to close the insurance gap today. Learn more at aflac.com/thegist.