- Vox Media, Box to Box Films and Rickie Fowler’s Main Event Productions all involved
- Fowler, Tony Finau, Cameron Champ, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau all linked with series
Golf’s PGA Tour has struck a deal with Netflix for a new docuseries following some of the world’s best players during the 2021/22 season, according to multiple US media reports.
Vox Media, which has worked with Netflix on the ‘Explained’ series, and the production company behind Formula One’s hit show ‘Drive to Survive’, Box to Box Films, are said to be among those working with the US-based streaming giant.
American golf star Rickie Fowler’s Main Event Productions has also reportedly been involved in early stage development of the new PGA Tour content series.
According to Golf Digest, Fowler, Tony Finau and Cameron Champ are ‘highly interested’ in taking part, with Vox executives also in active talks with Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau.
Golf.com says that six players from inside the top 20 of the men’s world rankings are set to sign on, with reports suggesting that the players will not be paid to participate.
Golfweek reported earlier this year that the PGA Tour is creating a ‘Player Impact Programme’ (PIP) bonus pool which could see US$40 million split among the game’s leading players for driving fan and sponsorship engagement. If that report proves accurate the PIP will come into force from January 2022, so additional media activity – especially if backed by the PGA Tour itself – could prove attractive to players.
According to the reports on the new Netflix series, the content would follow the same model as Drive to Survive with the cast interviewed regularly across the season, starting in early 2022, and the production crew also granted extensive behind-the-scenes access.
The PGA Tour will be hoping for a similar impact from its Netflix series as Drive to Survive. US sports broadcast giant ESPN has seen its live Formula One race audiences grow significantly since the show debuted, with Drive to Survive recently confirmed to be returning for series four.
PGA Tour has struck a deal with Netflix for a new docuseries
