The Match 2 was a rousing success last weekend, drawing golf’s biggest TV ratings ever for a cable telecast.
Naturally, the positive response has fans clamoring for more, but can it get better than the two biggest names in golf paired with two of the biggest names in football? Everything aligned for ratings success on Sunday, fans were starved for live sports and they were drawn in by four iconic names.
2018’s The Match: Tiger vs Phil was a disappointment, because it was a pay-per-view event with technical issues that took place in the midst of the NFL and college football seasons. There was no desperation in finding live sports to watch. The Match 2 provided fans quality competition during a time where there are few options, and they did it featuring Tiger, Phil, Peyton and Brady.
According to John Ourand of The Sports Business Journal, Turner’s deal with Tiger and Phil was an agreement of three exhibition matches. So how will a third installment of The Match top what we saw this past Sunday? Names like Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka, John Smoltz and Jeff McNeil might offer better golfers, but wouldn’t generate similar excitement.
49-year old Phil Mickelson, who’s currently the 61st ranked golfer in the world, offered some suggestions on possible participants to the LA Times.
“I think you could showcase guys like Steph Curry and Michael Jordan or Tony Romo and Patrick Mahomes, who are all good golfers, elite talents and have great personalities,” Mickelson told Arash Markazi. “Those personalities are going to come out with this event. Or you could have someone who loves the game and is competitive but is really entertaining like Larry David and Bill Murray. I think that could shine.”
Not only is there talk about a third installment of The Match, but turning it into an annual event seems likely. Its success will be determined by who’s involved and what other sports viewing content is available. Earlier this year, the PGA’s Pro-Am, which includes pro golfers and celebrities, received 3.51 million viewers for its final round on CBS, compared to the nearly 6 million who watched The Match 2.
If Michael Jordan’s involved, another Match will be a major success, but how many athletes/celebrities are able to move the needle like a foursome of Tiger, Phil, Peyton and Brady remains to be seen.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
