BACK9NETWORK was a 24/7 golf lifestyle cable television network and media company based in Hartford, Connecticut. BACK9NETWORK was developed as an alternative to traditional media's focus on professional golf tournament coverage. The network was focused on storytelling, personalities, features and fashions, interviews and instruction, travel, gear and more. BACK9NETWORK.com (which redirects to the SwingxSwing website), the online clubhouse for BACK9NETWORK, delivered editorial and original content on golf lifestyle.
BACK9NETWORK was founded in 2010, and was headquartered in Hartford, CT along with the network's production studio. BACK9NETWORK launched online in April 2012, and re-launched their website in January 2013. The network raised private equity from a number of shareholders, and received a $5 million loan from the state of Connecticut (which closed in March 2013). In May 2014 the Company acquired SwingxSwing, and in September 2014, BACK9NETWORK launched on DIRECTV in 20 million TV households.
On February 23, 2015 the channel suspended operations due to lack of funding. In December 2015 the Company filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 and exited bankruptcy in July 2016 whereby Back9Network Inc. and Swing by Swing Golf, Inc. merged, with Swing by Swing Golf, Inc. becoming the surviving entity.
The initial programming slate included:
Ahmad Rashad: Emmy award-winning broadcaster Ahmad Rashad gives the BACK9NETWORK's audience a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes as he delivers candid, yet in-depth interviews with the biggest names in sports and entertainmentGolf Treasures: This weekly reality series takes you along with golf collectors Ryan Carey and Bob Zafian, owners of Green Jacket Auctions, as they scour the country for some incredible auctionsBall Hogs: This docu-soap follows the men and women who dive for the more than 300 million golf balls lost each year- earning some divers up to $100,000/yr in “white gold."Of Course: An animated series produced in conjunction with Skadaddle MediaOff Par With Matty Blake: Co-hosted by acclaimed actor and comedian Matty Blake, veteran voice, theatre and television actor Charles Everett, and model Caite Upton is an inventive look at the world of golf and entertainment, with a seriously comedic twist.The Clubhouse: This nightly talk show features Former PGA Tour pro John Maginnes, longtime Golfweek Senior Writer Jeff Rude, and extreme sports champion Will Christien.The Turn: Back9Network's flagship hour of golf, pop culture, debate, and entertainment will be delivered on "The Turn."Ahmad Rashad, Host of AHMAD RASHAD and Executive Producer at BACK9NETWORK; former NFL professional, on-air host for NBA, and Golf ChannelShane Bacon, Co-Host of The Turn; former cbssports.com and Yahoo! Sports golf writerErica Bachelor, Co-Host of The Turn; former E! Network hostLou Holder, Co-Host of The Turn; Emmy award-winning sports personality, and a former anchor for many entities in the Washington D.C. areaMatty Blake, Host of Off Par; an acclaimed actor and comedianCaite Upton, Co-Host of Off Par; an American model and TV personalityCharles Everett, Co-Host of Off Par; actor formerly cast on 30 Rock, Law & Order, Rescue Me (U.S. TV series)Will Christien, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; women's extreme sports championJohn Maginnes, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; former PGA Tour pro and Golf Channel and USA Network golf commentatorJeff Rude, Co-Host of The Clubhouse; former Golfweek Senior WriterUniverso Pereira, Network Co-Host, TV personality and stage actorAlexis Morgan, Lifestyle Correspondent, TV personality and reporterKatie Sundseth, Lifestyle Correspondent, TV personality and modelCharles Cox, CEO; Former CFO & Head of Business Development, BACK9NETWORK, Director at ESPN, investment banker at Wachovia Securities, and attorney at Proskauer RoseCarlos Silva, President/COO; former President/COO of Universal Sports, Director at Park Lane, SVP of AOL Sports, News, and Money at AOL Time WarnerReid Gorman, Founder and CAO; former President of MacGregor Golf, and sales executive at Callaway GolfBrian Kalinowski, EVP, Digital Media; former COO of LiveClips, and EVP, Digital Media, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE).Ahmad Rashad, Host of AHMAD RASHAD and Executive Producer at BACK9NETWORK; former NFL professional, on-air host for NBA, and Golf ChannelScot Thor, SVP, Programming; former SVP of Development and Production at Intersport.Chris Lencheski, SVP, Sales; former President of Front Row Marketing, a division of ComcastSandy Cloud, Chairman, CEO of the Cloud CompanyJoe Mayernik, CEO of Sonoma Holdings, LLCMichael M. Michigami, president of MMM Business Advisory ServicesJames D. Wehr, President and CEO of The Phoenix CompaniesGary Giulietti, President, Lockton Companies, LLCCharles Cox, CEO, BACK9NETWORK