The GIST

Saudi Arabia’s PIF deepens its golf influence with latest sponsorship

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is stepping up its golf investment on the women’s side. The PIF was announced yesterday as the new title partner of the Saudi Ladies International event, which will feature a $5M prize pool — one of the largest in women’s pro golf outside of the LPGA’s five majors and a few other LPGA Tour events.

February 14, 2025

PGA Tour Superstore CEO Jill Spiegel sheds light on industry trends

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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

Sports Business

The LPGA announces three major sponsors this week

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January 26, 2024

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.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #455

Saquon Barkley plays 18 with President Trump

April 29, 2025

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Saquon Barkley plays 18 with President Trump

Mr. Barkley goes to Washington.

But before he visited the White House yesterday to celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles 2025 Super Bowl win, superstar running back Saquon Barkley spent some one-on-one time with President Donald Trump, raising the eyebrows of many football fans — especially after his Super Bowl MVP teammate Jalen Hurts didn’t make the trip at all.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz share their reactions to Barkley’s surprising afternoon with the polarizing president and add crucial context to the recent history of championship teams visiting 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Football is always top of mind.