PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 19: Tiger Woods during a trophy presentation to winner Jon Rahm after the final round of the The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 19, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Versant Media Group’s acquisition of Full Swing advances its digital media growth and sports technology strategy.
The transaction broadens Versant’s presence in sports entertainment. The company owns major golf properties like Golf Channel, GolfNow, and GolfPass. According to a corporate press release, the acquisition allows Versant to integrate Full Swing’s simulation software, launch monitors, and performance data into its digital media and television offerings.
This move supports CEO Mark Lazarus’s approach to diversifying revenue as cable TV subscriptions decline. While linear networks generate most of Versant’s revenue, Lazarus noted the company’s golf segment is evenly split between television and digital media.
Woods’ equity stake in Full Swing is a prominent example of Black representation in the growing sports technology sector. Beyond its cultural importance, this representation adds business value by helping Full Swing and Versant Media Group expand their appeal toward diverse markets and fan bases. Organizations with visible diversity in ownership and leadership are more likely to draw a broader range of talent and partners, fueling creativity and dependability.
Historically underrepresented in executive, ownership, and technology roles within golf, African American athletes and entrepreneurs are increasingly using equity partnerships to build sustainable wealth beyond active competition. Industry advocates note that high-profile investments like Woods’ provide a commercial model for minoritized communities looking for opportunities in sports data, hardware manufacturing, and digital athletic platforms.
“Full Swing is exactly the kind of strategic platform that reflects how we are building Versant,” Lazarus said in a statement, noting that the deal extends the company’s core markets into more interactive, connected consumer spaces.
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Source: Black Enterprise
