NBC Sports invested a staggering $440 million in Ryder Cup broadcasting rights. The network pays approximately $55 million annually for this privilege. Yet golf fans are now questioning whether this massive financial commitment translates to quality coverage.

The brutal truth hit home last week. Josh Carpenter broke the news on X that NBC’s contract has been extended through 2031. This revelation came at the worst possible time for the network. Fans had just endured what many called the most disastrous golf broadcast in recent memory during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

The criticism started within minutes of the first tee shot on September 26. Audio sync issues plagued the opening coverage on USA Network. Viewers heard club-ball contact seconds after shots had already reached their peak. Moreover, excessive commercial breaks disrupted the flow of the competition. Former European Ryder Cup player Graeme McDowell publicly complained about being “on the 5th commercial break” early in Friday’s coverage.

The backlash intensified throughout the tournament. Professional golfers joined the chorus of complaints. LIV Golf’s Byeong Hun An noted that viewers might be “seeing more commercials than golf today.” Meanwhile, fans expressed frustration about missed shots despite only eight golfers being on the course at any given time. They didn’t mince words, stating NBC “should never host another major golf event again. It was so bad start to finish, top to bottom.”

The situation became even more dire. The No Laying Up media company suggested NBC was “going to ruin golf for an entire generation of fans.” A fan pointed out a fundamental failure: “nbc failed so miserably in every way. no context for any hole. no context for any shot.” Another frustrated viewer noted that “Rolex is the only reason this Sunday had energy.”

YouTube TV subscribers faced an additional nightmare. A persistent warning message crawled across their screens throughout the broadcast. The message threatened that NBC channels could be dropped due to an ongoing dispute with Comcast NBCUniversal. The deadline loomed at September 30, just days after the tournament ended.

NBC’s Ryder Cup Broadcasting History Faces Scrutiny

NBC has faced similar criticism before. In 2004, fans complained about abrupt jumps between rounds during Ryder Cup coverage. Then, in 2023, viewers criticized the numerous commercial breaks that disrupted the continuity. However, the 2025 issues started immediately—unlike past years when problems emerged hours into coverage.

The network’s investment tells a compelling story. NBC signed the current 15-year deal with the PGA of America back in October 2013. The timing was significant. NBC had just lost U.S. Open rights to Fox Sports two months earlier. Consequently, securing the Ryder Cup through 2031 became crucial for NBC’s golf portfolio.

The contract encompasses comprehensive multi-platform coverage. NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, and Peacock all broadcast the tournament. Additionally, Spanish-language coverage airs on Telemundo and Mun2. The deal includes all-language and simultaneous streaming rights. NBC has also developed digital partnerships to transform the Ryder Cup into a year-round content property.

Neither NBC nor the PGA of America has addressed the backlash over coverage. NBC Universal declined to comment when contacted by media outlets. The PGA of America has remained equally silent. This silence is notable given the severity of fan criticism and potential damage to the Ryder Cup brand.

The financial breakdown reveals interesting details. The PGA Tour receives 20% of the contract value—approximately $11 million per Ryder Cup. This leaves the PGA of America with roughly $44 million per tournament from television rights alone. These figures suggest substantial stakeholder investment in maintaining the NBC partnership.

Viewership data provides additional context. The 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits drew 3.51 million viewers for Sunday’s final round. This marked the lowest-rated U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup since at least 1997. Recent PGA Tour coverage on NBC has performed better, averaging 2.2 million viewers and showing a 10% growth increase compared to 2024.

Fans now face an uncomfortable reality. NBC will broadcast every Ryder Cup through 2031. That means at least three more tournaments under the current arrangement. The question remains whether NBC will implement meaningful changes or if viewers should expect more of the same disappointing coverage quality.