Giannis Antetokounmpo and brothers investing in primetime pro golf league (but yikes on those swings)
Most pro athletes seem to gravitate toward golf in their spare time, and maybe that's still true for Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Judging by their swings in Giannis's most recent Instagram post ... it's debatable.
But the duo and brothers Alex and Kostas announced they are getting involved on the (digital) greens anyway, with an investment in the Los Angeles Golf Club, partnering with tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams in the process.
The team is one of three confirmed to play in The Golf League (TGL), a new sports venture spearheaded by Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods that will kick off in early 2024 and already has the support of the PGA Tour. Numerous high-profile athletes are on board as investors, including Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade, Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Josh Allen and the Williams sisters.
What in the world is TGL golf league that the Antetokounmpos are investing in?
The idea is to get three-player teams competing in live primetime competitions, beginning in January. But it won't be on a typical golf course; competitions will be indoors, with a virtual course and a specially designed arena in Palm Beach, Florida.
It's like the next version of X-Golf, except with names you've been watching for years, and presumably many more tech-driven capabilities.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, husband to Serena Williams, is the lead investor for the Los Angeles team, one of three cities already on board to sponsor teams (along with Boston and Atlanta). Three more are expected to join the fray.
Will TGL feature pro athletes?
The three-person teams will comprise the pro golfers you know and love.
Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Max Homa and Justin Thomas are among the players expected to participate, along with Woods and McIlroy. Again, the PGA is on board as a partner with this whole thing.
What's the format of TGL?
There will be 15 regular-season matches, followed by semifinals and a final, though it isn't clear how the event will be scored or judged, merely that the competition will be "fusing advanced tech and live action in primetime."
Each competition is expected to last two hours. It doesn't appear a network broadcaster has yet been confirmed, but could it be Monday Night Football ... for golf?
Add it to the list of things the Antetokounmpos have invested in
Giannis and his brothers have already invested in sports heavily, including with Nashville soccer in MLS and the Milwaukee Brewers in MLB. His list of endorsements and commercial ventures is long. Early in the summer, the brothers established Ante Inc. as the home of their global portfolio.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo and brothers investing in primetime pro golf
