From facebook today:
American Disc Golf Tour
3 hrs ·
Over the past 2 weeks the ADGT has noticed a large amount of "misinformation" by entities with no first hand knowledge of the inaugural American Open 2016 on ESPN3.
Why is disc golf going to be on ESPN3 and not ESPN or ESPN2?
Answer: ESPN3 is the benchmark for emerging sports on ESPN Networks. In order for a sport to move onto ESPN & ESPN2 support must be shown and interest generated if that sport is to garner a spot on other channels. **the most recent example of this is the Crossfit games that began on ESPN3 in 2010 and moved up to ESPN and ESPN2**
Is this event really going to happen? Will the production value be any good and how is this different from YouTube live broadcast?
Answer: 100% it will happen. This event will feature a live 2 hour block on May 15, 2016 at Cobblestone Park Golf Club in Blythewood, SC. Contracts were executed by all parties previous to the first announcement. Production teams have to be approved by ESPN including satellite team and day of production staff. All content/ graphics must match ESPN standards and we have hired a great team to complete the production. This is much different from a live YouTube stream in that you will have no interruption of service, professional camera crews and hardwired feeds back to the production truck making your viewing experience second to none.
In closing we encourage the disc golf community to support the event as much as possible. By supporting this event you help secure a future for players and the sport to move into the mainstream.
Any specific questions or comments can be directed to our website contact us form.
-ADGT Team
Scott Mally and 28 others like this.
Damian Papa
So get the ESPN app!!! Watch it on your phone, your computer or your Apple TV! So stoked for this. Let's watch the hell out of it so it moves up the ESPN ladder!!!!!
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Wally Parsinitz
Yes! Have billions of people watch it frequently so we can move up to famous channel!!
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Dustin Alcorn
What kind of kick back are the players going to get? Are the purses larger since there is advertising and monies being made that way like in ball golf? And can we expect the big names like Wysocki, McBeth, Koling, Schustrick, Lizotte, etc to play in these events?
Hide · 2 hours ago
American Disc Golf Tour
The payouts can not be structured until closer to the event. We are nearly 6 months away from the event so sponsorship money will increase as well as player support. The ADGT is structured to give back to players in every single way including money from memberships, fundraiser discs, and sponsorship money.
The ADGT can't speak to all players but we will have some top notch players in the field. We hope all top players would want to support the event in order to further our chances of reaching ESPN and ESPN 2. Either way we will have a fantastic show of talent and skill during the event.
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Michael Watts
There is a great amount of pressure on the folks at the ADGT to organize and perform to the expected standards of the Disc golf community. Many people involved are donating their time to plan and prepare. We all have to understand that the sport is growing rapidly and amazing opportunities are being presented to everyone involved. Supporting this event will only help advance this sport to the next level and give the players and hosts the opportunity to make the money they deserve for their efforts at future events.
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John Mullins
Can't wait .., this will be a first class event & eventually be on ESPN & ESPN 2... Let's all be sure to watch & support this tour!
Hide · 53 minutes ago
Brad Harris
Has ESPN given any indication of what kind of vierwership numbers you would have to have in order for it to be considered for broadcast on one of the cable versions?
Hide · 38 minutes ago
American Disc Golf Tour
Brad there is not one true number that has to be met but a general range has been mentioned. In our research of other live YouTube streaming of DG events the number of live viewers must be considerably higher and we hope having a larger base to begin with like ESPN3 will make this a possibility.