Acquisition adds global Event Management, Consulting, and Sales capabilities to the agency’s already strong presence in Golf as part of its global strategy for the sport.
New York, July 1, 2021 – Global sports business agency SPORTFIVE announced today that it has acquired Global Golf Management, a worldwide golf event management, consulting and sales company. The acquisition enhances SPORTFIVE’s prominent presence in the sport of golf and expands both its golf event management capabilities as well as its portfolio of tournaments managed.
The acquisition is part of the agency’s recently launched global golf strategy, which makes the sport one of its global growth areas. As part of the strategy, SPORTFIVE is building off its already strong presence in the U.S. and Asia in golf player representation and event management and expands its business around the game, including the development of new business opportunities with golf rightsholders and brands that market in golf.
Global Golf Management’s Principals Mike Harmon and Jeff Raedle will both assume the new titles of Executive Vice President of Golf Events for SPORTFIVE and report to Steve Loy, President, Global Golf for the agency. Harmon and Raedle will lead SPORTFIVE’s Golf Events division in the US, and will now oversee the existing tournaments that the agency manages, including the PGA TOUR events The American Express™ and the Fortinet Championship, as well as its role as an organizer of Capital One’s The Match series of golf events in partnership with WarnerMedia.
Headquartered in Chicago, Global Golf Management has successfully staged nearly 1,000 events on five continents since its inception in 1989, including major championships on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and LPGA, as well as the Olympic Golf competition. Global Golf Management has a role in 30 different professional, collegiate and charity golf tournaments, and is the event manager for the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship and Puerto Rico Open, and the Korn Ferry Tour’s Lecom Suncoast Classic and Emerald Coast Golf Classic at Sandestin.
“Golf is one of our global growth initiatives at SPORTFIVE and the acquisition showcases our commitment and enthusiasm to execute our strategy globally,” said Stefan Felsing, CEO SPORTFIVE. “We are certain that with Global Golf Management as part of SPORTFIVE we further enhanced our capabilities and can create even more value for brands, rights-holders, talents and media-platforms.”
“Expanding our presence in golf event management was a key objective when we launched our new golf strategy,” said Loy. “Adding the Global Golf Management team to SPORTFIVE is a huge step towards becoming the global golf agency our global leadership team sought out to become.”
“Over the last two decades, we have been proud to build Global Golf Management into a leading golf event management company,” said Harmon and Raedle. “SPORTFIVE is a dynamic global sports agency with an industry-leading golf practice and we could not be more excited to join the team.”
SPORTFIVE has a diverse golf business built around talent representation, event management and commercialization. The agency has one of the top client rosters in the industry with clients playing in all top professional tours around the world. The roster is highlighted by Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Harris English, and Davis Love III. Its clients have won nine Major Championships, four PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Awards, and two have been recognized as World Golf Hall of Famers.
SPORTFIVE has a long history of managing events around the world. In addition to its events in the US, the agency also promotes and manages events in Asia including the SMBC Singapore Open, the Australian Open, and the BNI Indonesian Masters.
ABOUT SPORTFIVE
SPORTFIVE utilizes the unique emotional power of sports to create and enable pioneering partnerships in sports. By delivering responsible commercialization, full-service-solutions and long-term value for all stakeholders in sports, SPORTFIVE strategically and creatively connects brands, rightsholders, media platforms and fans by leveraging a global network paired with decades of experience and innovative spirit. As market leader and with customer centricity and vast data intelligence at its core, SPORTFIVE often leads the sports business into the future through its innovative digital solutions and thereby always aims to be the most progressive and respected partner in sports. SPORTFIVE operates as an international sports business and marketing agency with a global mindset and network of over 1,200 local experts based in 15 countries around the world, active in football, golf, esports, motorsport, handball, tennis, American football and many more. For more information please visit SPORTFIVE’s website, content hub and social profiles.
CONTACTS:
David Rothenhaeuser (Global)
SPORTFIVE
+49 176 11 99 04 17
David.Rothenhaeuser@nullsportfive.com
Carmine N. Tiso (U.S)
SPORTFIVE
(917) 453 4296
carmine.tiso@nullsportfive.com