ESPN+ close to PGA Tour deal, claims report

Disney’s sports streamer ESPN+ is reportedly set to sign a live streaming deal with the PGA Tour.

According to two sources cited by the Associated Press, the subscription service is set to become the US streaming partner of the Tour, taking over from NBC Sports. The report says that terms have not been finalised, but an announcement could be made as early as February.

ESPN+ had previously shown part of the PGA Tour Live in 2018, though this exclusivity would be a big get for the service which forms a key part of Disney’s estimated US$108 billion streaming triumvirate (along with Disney+ and Hulu). It would add to an offer which also includes Spain’s Copa del Rey, Serie A, MLB and 20 live UFC Fight Nights.

This would be the third major deal signed by the PGA in 2020, following agreements with ViacomCBS’s AVOD Pluto TV and Facebook. The Pluto deal will see VOD content from PGA Tour Live, broadcast partners and featured hole coverage from 23 event, while the organisation will also distribute daily highlights on Facebook Watch.