TNT's broadcast of the next iteration of "The Match" golf event next Friday "weaves advertisers deeply into the proceedings," according to Brian Steinberg of VARIETY. The event features Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley taking on Stephen Curry and Peyton Manning. Turner Sports Exec VP/Sports Partnerships & Branded Content Will Funk said they "control the intellectual property." This means there is "no phalanx of sports-league officials to confer with when it comes time" to strategically place advertising. Part of the appeal of "The Match" for sponsors is that there are "only a handful of them -- and many of them appear to be returning." Funk noted that some of the top sponsorship slots represent "multi-million dollar commitments." Capital One will once again "enjoy the role of title sponsor," while Progressive Insurance, A-B InBev's Michelob Ultra and Ford Motor Co. -- a new participant -- will "serve as presenting sponsors." Cisco and DraftKings will be "featured in the event itself," with AT&T, Callaway Golf, E-Z-GO, Curry's OXIGEN Water, Taco Bell and Wheels Up "signing on as associate sponsors of the event." Viewers will see Ford's new Mach-E electric Mustang SUV "on the driving range," and the vehicle "will take players to the course." Autotrader "sponsors a pre-game show" at 2:00pm ET, hosted by Cari Champion with Eli Manning (VARIETY.com, 11/19).
