Back9 Network

About Back9 Network

Back9 Network was an ambitious media venture founded in 2010 by James L. Bosworth, who had a background in sports marketing and branding. The Hartford, Connecticut-based company aimed to carve a niche in the sports media landscape by focusing on the golf lifestyle, a deliberate pivot from traditional tournament coverage. It targeted golf fans with a range of programming that included talk shows, celebrity profiles, and reality series, positioning itself as a 24/7 golf lifestyle channel.

The company's strategy involved a multi-platform approach, initially launching a website in 2012 before securing significant funding. Back9Network raised nearly $40 million from various investors and received a $5 million loan from the state of Connecticut to build out its production studio in Hartford. A key milestone was the acquisition of the popular golf GPS app company, Swing by Swing Golf, in May 2014, which brought with it an engaged audience of over 2 million users. This was followed by a major distribution deal with DirecTV in June 2014, making the channel available in 20 million households.

Despite these early achievements, the network faced significant challenges. Founder James L. Bosworth resigned as CEO in August 2014, just before the channel's television launch. By February 2015, a mere six months after its debut on DirecTV, Back9Network suspended operations due to a severe cash shortfall and undercapitalization. The company had burned through its capital, leading to substantial layoffs and an inability to continue broadcasting. Internal turmoil surfaced, including a lawsuit filed by the company against its former CEO, alleging he breached his separation agreement.

In December 2015, Back9Network filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The restructuring plan focused on shedding its television assets and re-emerging as a smaller, online-focused entity. The company exited bankruptcy in 2016 under the name Swing By Swing, centering its new business model around the mobile app it had acquired years earlier, a significant downsizing from its original grand vision of a major broadcast network.