LeBron James, Drake Join Forces with PGA TOUR Enterprises
NBA superstar LeBron James, music icon Drake, and some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment have signed on to back PGA TOUR Enterprises, the newly launched commercial arm of the PGA TOUR. James, Drake, Lindsey Vonn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Chris Pratt, have joined as individual investors, infusing star power and business acumen into professional golf.
Drake said he envisions that, as one of the benefits, PGA TOUR events would have an NBA-like celebrity row and provide a unique opportunity for nearly 200 PGA TOUR members to become equity holders, allowing them to share in the business’s commercial success.
Despite his existing stake in the Fenway Sports Group, James has continued to expand his investment portfolio by aligning with PGA TOUR Enterprises. Vonn, Schwarzenegger, Pratt, and Drake participated in Main Street Advisors’ Strategic Sports Group (SSG), which is spearheaded by the Fenway Sports Group and encompasses influential franchise owners from various sports. SSG forms a robust consortium that officials said are dedicated to steering the growth and success of PGA TOUR Enterprises.
Under the new program, PGA TOUR players collectively stand to access over $1.5 billion in equity in PGA TOUR Enterprises, with grants vesting over time based on career milestones, recent accomplishments, future participation, and membership status. Notably, the grants are exclusively available to qualified PGA TOUR players, reinforcing the league’s commitment to player ownership and engagement.
“By making PGA TOUR members owners of their league, we strengthen the collective investment of our players in the success of the PGA TOUR,” Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, and CEO of PGA TOUR Enterprises, told PGATOUR.com.
As part of a major $3 billion investment, SSG has already injected $1.5 billion into PGA TOUR Enterprises. Officials said the collaboration aims to maximize revenue generation for players while identifying opportunities to expand golf’s reach globally.
“It’s one thing to invest in a team but to help reimagine one of the biggest leagues in the world is an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Drake remarked.
The Strategic Sports Group boasts an impressive roster of franchise owners from diverse sectors, including John W. Henry, Steven A. Cohen, Arthur M. Blank, and others. Collectively, they form a dynamic consortium committed to fostering the growth and success of PGA TOUR Enterprises.
