By ADAM SCHUPAK
Senior WriterEfforts by the LPGA to achieve a more consistent platform for women’s golf on network television are heating up.
The LPGA’s deputy commissioner, Libba Galloway, confirmed that the LPGA met with officials at NBC and CBS during the Sybase Classic in New Jersey to discuss a multiyear network television agreement beginning in 2010.
“We’ve put together a draft of a plan of how our TV landscape with the networks could look,” she said. “We’re still in the initial stages of working through this with our network partners.”
So far, those discussions haven’t included ABC, which Galloway said has reduced its role in covering professional golf.
“If there is a renewed interest we’d talk to them,” she said.
On the table is a proposed series of 8-10 events held within the LPGA’s season-long schedule. The championship could be a new tournament scheduled in the first quarter of each year, with the weekend before the Super Bowl being considered.
The tour is in the process of contacting tournament title sponsors to determine their interest.
“We know the LPGA is trying to reconfigure the whole TV packaging for the tour,” said Jack Benjamin, president of the Corning Classic and ex officio of the Tournament Owners Association. “We’re waiting to see what that is.”
The LPGA’s cable deal is also in play. Its contracts with ESPN and Golf Channel both expire at the end of the 2009 season. Galloway said securing a cable partner for early-round coverage and for events not broadcast on network television is imperative.
She added that the LPGA’s discussions with Golf Channel and Turner Broadcasting System are in their infancy, and that the network component must be firmed up first. Turner has cable broadcast rights to the British Open and PGA Championship as part of its limited golf coverage, but doesn’t currently have a rights agreement with the LPGA.
Galloway said a formal proposal to the networks still is forthcoming and that nothing is expected to develop in the next 30-45 days. But she remains upbeat.
“I think we’re going to see something pretty good coming out of it for 2010,” Galloway said.
• • •
Adam Schupak is a
Golfweek senior writer. To reach him e-mail
aschupak@golfweek.com.
Posted: 6/9/2008
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