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Internet Invitational: $4m prize, 82 cameras, 10m views
Barstool Sports' Internet Invitational delivers $4m prize, 82 cameras, and 10m views in viral golf tournament.
In brief
Barstool Sports' Internet Invitational delivers $4m prize, 82 cameras, and 10m views in viral golf tournament. Barstool Sports' Internet Invitational, a $4 million golf tournament with 82 cameras, reached 10 million views in its second season. Originally reported by Golf.
Internet Invitational launch
Barstool Sports launched the Internet Invitational as a $4 million golf tournament with 82 cameras and 10 million views.
Brendan Jones' role
Brendan Jones, the lead producer, worked 40 hours without sleep to edit 800 hours of footage into six episodes.
Dave Portnoy's vision
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, created the Internet Invitational after the Creator Classic failed to include Barstool.
Star power and stakes
Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports recruited 64 players with $4 million prize and 82 cameras for the tournament.
Cody 'Beef' Franke's story
Cody 'Beef' Franke, a former pro, died between filming and the final episode, donating prize money to charity.
Production scale
The Internet Invitational used 82 cameras, 28 terabytes of footage, and 800 hours of material for its second season.
YouTube strategy
Barstool Sports split editing into four teams to create six episodes from raw footage within days.
Golf as participatory sport
The Internet Invitational makes golf accessible to non-elite players with $4 million prize and viral appeal.
Scholarship impact
Cody 'Beef' Franke's family established a scholarship for aspiring PGA teaching pros within 24 hours.
Star power expansion
Barstool Sports recruited 64 players for the Internet Invitational, including YouTubers and golf influencers.
Financial model
The Internet Invitational uses sponsor funds to cover production costs and distributes remaining money to prize pools.
Viewership impact
The Internet Invitational reached 10 million views in its second season with viral content and engagement.
Entertainment focus
The Internet Invitational prioritizes entertainment over traditional golf competition with 82 cameras and viral appeal.
Cody 'Beef' Franke's legacy
Cody 'Beef' Franke's family established a scholarship for aspiring PGA teaching pros within 24 hours of his death.
Production challenges
Barstool Sports' production team filmed 28 terabytes of footage across four days with 82 cameras.
Internet Invitational's future
The Internet Invitational aims to grow its audience and prize pool while maintaining viral appeal.
The one thing
Barstool Sports' Internet Invitational, a $4 million golf tournament with 82 cameras, reached 10 million views in its second season.
