Since 2012, JomezPro has set the standard for post-produced disc golf coverage.
Whether you like it or not, though, live disc golf is the way of the future. And if you’re not yet sure if I’m right about this, simply look to every other sport that’s ever existed for evidence.
But even if Jonathan Gomez wanted to keep pushing post-produced footage, the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) has made one thing crystal clear: They’re the gatekeepers of disc golf media.
Remember that “historic” deal JomezPro made with the DGPT back in late February? While two years of the post-production rights to all MPO lead cards at Elite Series events for $500,000 might seem sweet, alarm bells had to be going off in Gomez’s head during negotiations …
Just a few years back, do you know what JomezPro paid for that kind of access?
Nothing.
In fact, tournament directors paid THEM to cover their events for exposure.
There’s more, though – and this extends well beyond JomezPro:
- Want to snap photos at an Elite Series event? You’ll need the DGPT’s permission.
- Want to capture some videos at a Silver Series tournament? More of the same.
- Want to cover one of 2022’s major championships in the flesh? Exactly.
Why else do you think Simon Lizotte shot a mid-round vlog at WACO like this?
This doesn’t make Jeff Spring evil – his job’s three-fold:
- Task No. 1 – To make money.
- Task No. 2 – To grow the game.
- Task No. 3 – To create a better product.
He’s doing it – and really well. This is how all professional sports work. Disc golf’s finally caught up. The DGPT has their own camera crews for live coverage. Assuming post-produced viewing is even a thing in five years, why wouldn’t they bring that service in-house, as well?
At this point, the question’s obvious: Where does JomezPro go from here?
Gomez isn’t stupid – he’s (literally) bought himself two years to figure out the future of his company. If you’ve been paying attention, you might’ve noticed he’s laying the groundwork for it: documentaries, practice rounds, “The Putting Game” and “The Approachable Podcast” are a few examples of what to expect from JomezPro – outside of tournament play, it’s all fair game.
Others are taking part, too.
GK Pro is known for their “Tour Series Skins” partnership with OTB Discs. Gatekeeper Media has their “Iron Man Scratch” series with Ricky Wysocki every tournament. And Foundation Disc Golf isn’t a production company, but they use Twitter Spaces for post-round recap discussions.
It’s only a matter of time before somebody steals that idea and launches a full-blown show.
If you’re at all bothered by this, remember: Disc golf ISN’T JomezPro’s product. It “belongs” to the PDGA and DGPT. They have every right to monetize the heck out of it, and they will.
JomezPro will adjust; they’ll be around for a long time.
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Jeff Spring is going to ruin disc golf. Monetizing a product that hasn’t shown that it’s followers have money is going to ruin the sport. Jeff Spring is the worst thing that has happened to the sport and he will ruin all the momentum that has occurred over the last couple of years.
Interesting take, John …
Do you think it’s bad for disc golf to seek out new ways to monetize?
To me, it seems like monetization is a good thing, right?
Yes, that puts money in the DGPT’s pockets, but much of that is put back into the tour, you know?
The players benefit. Sponsors benefit. Fans benefit.
Wouldn’t that be a good thing?
Whatever the case, can’t thank you enough for reading – we ALWAYS welcome differing viewpoints 🙂
I just hope greed does not take over and ruin disc golf just like it has to every other sport out there. The disc golf community is a tight nit group of people who play for the love of the game and the camaraderie. Sure we want the sport to grow but not for the money but so we can see people love the game as much as we do.
Matt, thanks for reading – and for your comment!
Always appreciate to hear other people’s perspectives 🙂
To me, it seems that two things can happen here:
1) Professional disc golf can grow, make money and provide a better living / experience for the MPO and FPO field.
2) The smaller, tight-knit disc golf community that you and I are a part of can continue to thrive.
Do you know what I mean?
In my mind, as I see it, this doesn’t have to be a “one-or-the-other” sort of decision …
Both can happen at the same time.
That’s just my $0.02 on the matter – if I’m wrong, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time.
Again, thanks for chiming in – happy to continue this conversation, if you like 🙂
The PDGA is a nonprofit organization so their number one goal isn’t to make money.
The US Chamber of Commerce defines a nonprofit organization as “one that qualifies for tax-exempt status by the IRS because its mission and purpose are to further a social cause and provide a public benefit.”
Your whole premise for this article is based on YOUR fundamental misunderstanding if the purpose of the PDGA.
If you’re going to proffer your opinion as that of an expert giving advice you should get your facts straight first.
Maybe start here:
https://www.pdga.com/faq/membership/where-do-my-membership-fees-go
Thanks for your impassioned response – appreciate it!
This article ISN’T about the PDGA, though …
It’s about the DGPT.
Still, appreciate you checking in!
Thanks for the reply. I came in a little hot so sorry for that. But yes I am passionate about this game
I did read more about the DGPT and indeed your article focuses on them, which I confused with the PDGA.
However I did learn a lot more about the DGPT’s relationship with the PDGA this is what I found.
According to the DGPT website: “The Pro Tour was founded with one primary goal, create a stage on which our sport’s best athletes can showcase their skills, where fans can be social and enjoy watching together, and to bring kids into the sport at an increasing rate because they have heroes to look up to that play a game they love.”
Which to me echoes the goals of the PDGA. Now either they really mean that is their main goal, or they are just paying lip service to the PDGA goal because they are “The Official Pro Tour of the PDGA”, and as you said, their number one goal is to make money.
I can see the draw of live disc golf but have never been able to really sit down and watch 12-16 hours of coverage to see all of one tournament. I know I’m not alone in that.
So why not have both live coverage and same or next day post-produced coverage available, since having both would give pros the biggest possible stage to showcase their skills? Wouldn’t that be the fastest way to not only broaden the core audience, but also serve the huge audience producers like Jomez helped draw in for the benefit of the sport?
So how’s the DGPT doing on the post-produced coverage front? As of today the post-produced coverage of the 2022 European Open coverage is still not available from DGPT, and there’s no indication on when it will be. Also there is a 30 day embargo on competitor footage, if there even will be any.
How is any of this furthering the DGPT’s primary goal?
Michael
Thanks for checking back in, Michael – appreciate it!
BTW, don’t worry about coming in a “little hot.”
We love the game, too – not a big deal!
I’d answer your question about the co-existing of live and post-produced coverage, but I recently interviewed Jeff Spring …
And just for you, I asked him that EXACT question – you’ll get the answer soon in article form …
And straight from the “horse’s mouth,” as well.
So check back in for that in the next week or so …
Also, hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the European Open was different than everything else – ZERO post-produced coverage on YouTube.
You had to be a subscriber for it, I’m afraid.
All other tournaments, however, will have final-round, post-produced coverage for you on the DGPT’s YouTube channel.
Thanks for reading – check back in on that Panis interview, man!
It’ll drop soon 🙂