Pro Shop CEO Joe Purzycki frames the $24 million Series B as a 'very positive signal' enabling expansion of franchises like Dan On Golf and The Vanity Index Podcast.
Insiders whisper that Arthur Blank’s involvement isn't just about golf; it's a strategic move to control the narrative as the sport becomes a pop-culture lifestyle brand, leaving traditional broadcasters scrambling.
Funding round closed Oct 5, 2026. Led by Arthur Blank’s family office, joined by Causeway Partners and Ares Capital. Returning investors include PGA Tour and Powerhouse Capital. Company founded in 2023 by Mumm and Purzycki.
Golf is no longer just a hobby; it's a lifestyle empire, and Pro Shop just bought the deed with cash from one of the biggest names in sports business.
The green fees are skyrocketing, and for Pro Shop, the bank account is looking greener than the fairways. The golf media company, founded by Chad Mumm and Joe Purzycki in 2023, has officially raised $24 million in a Series B funding round. This isn't just a minor cash infusion; it’s a heavyweight endorsement led by the family office of Arthur Blank, the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and co-founder of Home Depot.
Joining the party are Causeway Partners and Ares Capital, alongside returning backers like the PGA Tour and Powerhouse Capital. For a company that didn't exist three years ago, attracting the Falcons' owner is a massive flex in the sports media landscape. Joe Purzycki, the company’s CEO, isn't hiding his excitement.
In an exclusive interview, he called the round a 'very positive signal for what we’re building here.' The plan? Expand their digital footprint aggressively. Purzycki confirmed that franchises like 'Dan On Golf' and 'The Vanity Index Podcast'—the latter being co-founder Chad Mumm’s show on Golf Channel—will see significant growth.
But it’s not just about more podcasts. The company is investing in a 'meaningful' expansion of their talent base and programming, signaling they are done being a niche player and are ready to own the entire conversation around golf. The receipts show a rapid trajectory.
In 2024, just a year after its founding, Pro Shop raised $20 million and acquired the PGA Tour’s digital brand Skratch. They launched a dedicated studio last year, with Netflix’s 'Happy Gilmore 2' as their first co-production. They also produce Netflix’s 'Full Swing.' Now, with this new $24 million, the duo is pivoting hard into live events.
Mumm describes golf as 'experiential' and a 'lifestyle,' noting that fans want to 'get a club in their hand and participate.' They are actively hiring a new events lead to take their media tentpoles IRL, including live golf programming like The Skins Game on Prime Video. The cultural shift is undeniable. Mumm points out that ten years ago, getting a golf project made was nearly impossible, but today there is 'ravenous interest' because golf has merged with pop culture.
From LeBron James launching a golf-centric YouTube channel to actors and musicians flaunting their swings on social media, the stigma is gone. Mumm even threw a playful jab at Adam Sandler, hoping he’d want to make a 'Happy Gilmore 3' without waiting another 29 years. With the PGA Tour under CEO Brian Rolapp focusing more on content, Pro Shop is positioning itself as the indispensable bridge between traditional golf and the new media landscape. The money is in the swing, and Pro Shop just loaded up.
