Inside the Internet Invitational: 10 million views, 82 cameras, $4 million and golf’s awesome reality-show experiment

A tournament built for entertainment

The Internet Invitational is designed differently from a conventional televised golf event. Rather than treating entertainment as a byproduct of elite competition, it puts the show itself at the center.

The tournament was Dave Portnoy’s idea after Barstool Sports was left out of the PGA Tour-sanctioned Creator Classic, which the article says flopped. Portnoy hoped golf personalities would accept constant filming and give up name, image and likeness rights for a series whose competitors might not receive a paycheck.

How the money is handled

Bozoian says the organizers raise sponsorship money, cover production expenses and put what remains into the prize pool. “We’re not taking anything home,” Bozoian says. Jones describes Portnoy as continually looking for ways to improve each day and session. The production is the result of three months of work on the tournament, which has been tiring for Jones.

A viral debut and lasting tribute

The first season began last fall. An early episode followed YouTuber and former professional Luke Kwon after he slept through his alarm, then showed a tense exchange with teammate PFT Commenter; the episode later drew more than 12 million views.

The season ended with Cody “Beef” Franke among the winners. Filmed before his sudden death, Franke said he planned to give his share of the prize to his parents to pay off their house and donate the rest to charity. His family and Bozoian later established a charity to fund scholarships for aspiring PGA teaching professionals.

Season 2 remembers Franke

The tournament’s mix of golf and online storytelling has carried into its new season. Its first season’s viral episode and Franke’s legacy remain part of the show’s story.