World Long Drive (WLD) has just inked a significant deal with ESPN for the 2024 season, promising golf fans a thrilling lineup of events. The agreement includes airing four events on ESPN2 and streaming an additional 47 hours of coverage on ESPN+, aiming to elevate the profile of this adrenaline-fueled sport.
Kicking off the season will be the WLD MB Celebrity Shootout presented by Hyundai in Huntington Beach, California, on July 11, followed by the WLD Endless Summer Invitational in Belleville, Ontario, on July 18, WLD Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, on July 25, and culminating in the WLD Championship in Atlanta on August 11.
Senior Vice President of ESPN Programming and International, Tim Bunnell, expressed excitement about this addition to ESPN’s golf portfolio, highlighting the network’s dedication to bringing more golf to fans globally.
In addition to ESPN, GOLF Channel will also play a pivotal role in broadcasting key moments of the season, including the Women’s Division finals, the Military Division finals, and the Women’s Division World Championship.
W. David Livingston, World Long Drive Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the strategic importance of partnering with both ESPN and GOLF Channel to showcase the athleticism and competitiveness of the sport’s elite athletes.
The season will feature the WLD Endless Summer Invitational at Trillium Wood Golf Club in Belleville, Ontario, on June 14-15, followed by WLD Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, on July 19-22.
Leading up to the WLD Fort Jackson event, military long drive qualifiers will take place across the nation, providing active and retired military personnel with the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete for a coveted spot in the ESPN2-broadcasted Military Long Drive Championship.
The season will culminate with the highly anticipated WLD Championship at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta from August 8-11, where the top competitors will battle it out for supremacy.
Zane Smith, World Long Drive Vice President of Business Operations, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with ESPN, underscoring the potential to introduce the sport to a broader audience and further enhance its accessibility through streaming coverage.
Reflecting on the previous season, which crowned Kyle Berkshire, Monica Lieving, Ryan Reisbeck, and Andrew Eigner as world champions, along with Bryce Verplank’s remarkable achievement of the longest drive at 489 yards, highlights the anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming 2024 World Long Drive season.