The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Nike

Showing posts with label Nike. Show all posts

9/24/2015

McIlroy Not Moved by Fedex Cheque

Rory McIlroy has said he does not care about the $10m bonus that could come with victory at the Tour Championship.

The 26-year-old, whose season has been interrupted by injury, just wants to get back to winning and is more motivated by adding the FedExCup to his list of trophies.

"Luckily, that amount of money doesn't sort of mean much to me anymore," said McIlroy on the eve of the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta that caps the FedExCup playoffs and awards the bonus to the points leader.

"It will go in the bank and if I want to buy something nice, I will. I mean, like, it's nice to think that you could win $10m this week, but that's not what excites me.

"It excites me to play well and to try and win. And the FedExCup is... one of the only things that I haven't put on my golf CV and that would be more exciting to do that rather than walk away with a cheque."

The young Northern Irishman has already won financial security for generations of family to come.

In 2013, McIlroy signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Nike Golf worth a reported $200m, and he's earned more than $28m in his PGA Tour career, not counting tens of millions more from European Tour earnings and more still from other endorsements.

However, the 26-year-old Northern Irishman regrets the loss of a chunk of his year after he injured his ankle playing football with friends.

McIlroy said he had learned some lessons from 2015, including that he should avoid putting extra pressure on himself as he believes he did when he was trying to extend his run to three majors in a row at the Masters in April.

"I'll still work as hard as ever in trying to get prepared and trying to get my shape in the best place possible to play those (major) tournaments, but not work at it for the reason of 'I can make history here'.

"There was just this expectation of and knowing what was at stake, what could happen, instead of just going out and playing and trying not to think about all that stuff."

There is another lesson McIlroy said he learned.

"Don't play football in the middle of the season."

10/21/2014

Rory McIlroy Takes Golfing Break

Rory McIlroy has announced a break from golf following failed mediation talks in Dublin this week, relating to his dispute with former management company, Horizon Sports. A company he was with for two years before leaving in May 2013 to start his own management company.

In the current lawsuit, McIlroy clams Horizon took advantage of his youth and lack of legal advice in his first agreement, according to Forbes last year when McIlroy first sued Horizon.

In published comments the agreed upon commissions entitled Horizon Sports Management to a rich 20% fee on all off-the-course income received by McIlroy.

The golfer claims that the commissions were excessive and resulted in an unconscionable contract, as an athlete of McIlroy’s stature should not have to pay more than 7% of earnings from endorsement deals. McIlroy also alleges that he was young, naive and failed to have the support of legal counsel when he executed the agreement containing such a compensation structure. Albeit he had already experienced a number of years with a previous management company, International Sports management based in the UK.

Horizon is countering by suing for a reported $3 million for a breach of contract.

In order to prepare for the court date McIlroy is opting out of the European Tour's BMW Masters at the end of October and the PGA Tour's WGC-HSBC Champions the second week of November. The world number is however expected to return for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the final event of the European Tour's 'Race to Dubai.'

No doubt these changes are bad news to the tournament sponsors.

There remains a possibility McIlroy's early 2015 tournament schedule could be affected with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic set for January. On the PGA Tour McIlroy can start as he did last season at the Honda Classic, which is convenient to his home in Florida. This year, the Honda Classic begins on February 26, and less than two months before McIlroy will attempt to win his first Masters. So the timing of the case is not ideal

Conor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management was McIlroy’s agent when he signed the sizeable 9 figure endorsement deal with Nike. Albeit one that also resulted in a lawsuit filed by Oakley based on a breach of contract claim.

Oakley’s position was the McIlroy ignored the company’s right of first refusal to match any offers that McIlroy received from a competitor of Oakley, and Oakley deemed Nike to fit the classification. The matter was ultimately settled with Oakley in November 2013.

The real issue perhaps, as identified by Forbes magazine in 2013, is that agents are entitled to commissions on all deals negotiated while they served in a representative capacity. The fact that the agent who negotiated a contract is no longer the athlete’s official representative while the term of the agreement continues has no legal effect on the agent’s right to commissions under the terms of the terminated representation agreement.

Which raises the potential entitlement due to Horizon for the balance of the years on the Nike agreement for example – if as yet unpaid.

The possibility of a 20% commission on the $25Million a year Nike deal might still carry an 8 or 9 year liability from McIlroy is a considerable chunk of change in anyone's language. And one which would explain why mediation has broken down and that may not be as open and shut case as is being reported. Or just about a US$3m counter claim

At the time the case was first made public, The Daily Telegraph reported the contract was presented to him on December 21st, 2011 in a solicitor’s office on the day of the Horizon Christmas party “in circumstances of great informality”. Since that moment things have gained a lot more formality and even the on course earnings have increased to unimaginable bake levels following the McIlroy's two major wins this season.

However as things stand the Dublin courts are destined to hear more about McIlroy’s finances next February. Which could prove unsavoury for the sports star keen on his privacy. If the assumption of the remaining commission is incorrect then it is hard to understand why paying the counter claim of US$3m would not be the most expedient solution. Given that two appearances in Asia could easily cover that for McIlroy.

Therefore there must be more than meets the eye on this one.

The onoy certainty for Horizon Sports is that losses will only further increase as Graeme McDowell is set to leave the company at the end of the year to work under his own management organisation. Which will leave Shane Lowry as the major Irish player under Horizon’s watch, along with 2010 Irish Open winner, Ross Fisher. A dramatic turn of events for an Irish company that shot to the fore in 2010 when McDowell ended the 40 year old barren run by Europeans, by winning the US Open.

These days that historic day on the eighteenth green at Pebble Beach must seem but a distant memory for all concerned these days.

10/14/2013

Commercial Court for Rory

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has begun a legal action against his former agent, Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management.

The details of the case were not outlined at Dublin High Court on Monday, but it is understood to involve a multi-million euro dispute over fees.

It is believed the golfer views the fees charged by Horizon - said to be 7.5m euros (£6.4m) over an 18 month period - as excessive. The company is set to counter claim.

Horizon is reported to believe it has achieved exceptional results for the golfer, who was not in court.

It is understood the Northern Ireland sports star is trying to recover 7m euros (£5.9m) through the court action. The fee period under dispute coincided with McIlroy's sponsorship deal with Nike, said to be worth in the region of $100m (£63m).

The 24-year-old golfer was unveiled as Nike's brand ambassador in January this year, making him one of the highest paid sports stars in the world.

At Monday's High Court hearing, the case was fast-tracked to Dublin's Commercial Court, the big business division of the High Court.

A provisional trial date has been set for October 2014.

8/07/2013

Mcllroy Read for Main PGA Course

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy served up an interesting menu at the past champions' dinner at the US PGA Championship on Tuesday - and would love his critics to be eating humble pie this weekend.

McIlroy won five times last year, including his second major by eight shots, to finish top of the money list on both sides of the Atlantic.

But he has yet to record a win in 2013 and labelled his own play "brain dead" after an opening round of 79 in the Open at Muirfield, where he missed the cut on 12 over par.

Switching clubs in a controversial multi-million pound deal with Nike and spending too much time with girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki have been blamed for such poor form, but McIlroy went through a similar "slump" last year just before leaving everyone trailing in his wake at Kiawah Island.

"I love proving people wrong," the 24-year-old said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I loved sitting up here last year on the Sunday night and I proved a lot of people wrong. Maybe not necessarily in this room, but just people who had their opinions and said things and it was nice to be able to do that.

"I guess I've learnt to maybe not listen as much or not read as much, just sort of wrap yourself in your own little world or your own little bubble.

"I had to deal with it after the Masters in 2011 whenever people were saying, you can't come back from this, what's he going to do, he's blown his best chance to win a major. Two months later I was able to win (the US Open). I've dealt with it before and it's just something that's part of the job."

Previous wins could also be key to future success, with McIlroy watching footage of his performance at Kiawah Island and other career highlights to get back into the right frame of mind.

"I'm feeling good," the world number three added. "I've been watching a few videos of last year at Kiawah and watching some videos of some of my best weeks that I've played and it sort of lifted me a little bit and I took some good things away from that.

"First and foremost, I just haven't been swinging it the best this year. I got into a couple bad habits with my golf swing and it's just taken me a little bit longer to get out of them. When you're fighting that so much, it's hard to play the golf that I want to play, which is fluid and free-flowing. That's the way I play my best.

"Every time you play and you don't play well, it sort of chips away at your confidence a little bit, and it's just about building that back up. But I'm sitting here as confident as I have been all year, so I'm looking forward to getting going this week.

"I think everyone sees when I walk and I'm playing well, I have that little bounce in my step, so just trying to get that going again and trying to get that positive energy back. There's been times this year where I've really gotten down on myself and that's something that hasn't helped at all, and something that I'm trying to get better at.

As for that dinner menu, McIlroy opted for a goat's cheese and beetroot salad to start, Irish tenderloin for the main course and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

"Everyone definitely enjoyed the last two courses; I don't know how the appetiser went down," he joked.

8/01/2013

Rory Ready to Show Firestone

Getty Images

Rory McIlroy is determined to start turning his season around at this week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.

The world No 3 described himself as "brain dead" at the Open Championship after erratic rounds of 75 and 79 left him on 12 over par, four shots outside the cut.

McIlroy has yet to win since making his controversial switch to Nike at the turn of the year, but he hopes spending time with friends at home and advice on his demeanour from putting coach Dave Stockton will lift his game in Ohio.

"I was sitting up here this time last year not feeling as if my game was in great shape," said McIlroy, who brushed aside a run of poor form to finish in a tie for fifth at Firestone last season.

"I'm sitting up here this year a lot more positive and that's a great sign. It's a course I feel I can do well on and if something similar can happen to last year, that would set up for the last major of the season and a great end of the year.

"It's been up and down (since the same time last year). I've had some great weeks and wins and had some very average ones as well. It's like everything, you are going to have ups and downs.

"My highs have been incredibly high and my lows have been pretty low so it's about trying to make it more on an even keel."

Stockton has reiterated his advice to McIlroy that he needs to smile more and have better body language on the course, even when things are not going well.

"I've always said it's easier to smile when you are making birdies," added McIlroy, who has been paired with Canadian Open champion Brandt Snedeker for the first two rounds.

"But the thing he said last year that I am trying to do again is that if someone is watching you from the outside, don't let them know whether you have made a birdie or a bogey.

"I've become a little too emotionally involved with my golf over the past few months and let it either get me excited or down where I should not get too high or too low."

7/27/2013

McIlroy Could be the Man - Gary Player

Getty Images

Gary Player is "perturbed" by some of the decisions being made by Rory McIlroy but the South African great believes the former world number one "could be the man" if he sorts out his problems.

The 24-year-old McIlroy's game has nosedived since he changed club manufacturer at the start of the season following a switch to Nike that, according to media reports, is worth $250 million over the next 10 years.

Last year the young Northern Irishman stormed to the top of the world rankings and won the orders of merit on both sides of the Atlantic.

"I love Rory McIlroy, he's got talent like you can't believe, but I was quite perturbed when I saw him win the U.S. Open (last year) and then the next tournament he played was one month later," nine-times major winner Player told Britain's Talksport radio.

"You can't do that. What he should have done was take a week off after winning the U.S. Open to settle down and then play two tournaments.

"You've got to prepare properly. He has a few problems at this stage of his life but everyone has problems," added the 77-year-old Player.

"He'll sort it out, he's got wonderful parents and he's got great talent. He'll come back."

Player's comments echoed those made about twice major winner McIlroy by former world number one Nick Faldo during last week's British Open at Muirfield.

Faldo hinted that world number three McIlroy, who missed the cut at the third major of the season, was spending more time than he should on off-the-course activities.

"You have a window of opportunity, that's my only words of wisdom to Rory," said the Englishman who now works as a full-time television commentator. "You have say a 20-year window as an athlete - concentrate on golf, nothing else.

"Hopefully you have another 40 years to enjoy it so just concentrate on your golf."

McIlroy is in a long-term relationship with former world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Player said he could understand why golf was perhaps not quite as important to the Northern Irishman as it once was.

"When you're in love as a young man, naturally golf seems to take second place for a while," the South African explained. "It's natural - love is still the greatest thing that ever happens in our lives.

"But the thing is for a man like Rory with talent galore, he has got to make sure he has a woman like I've got, who has been married (to me) for 56 years, that has only encouraged me to do well and has made sacrifices.

"He's got to be intelligent and find the right wife. If he finds the right wife, if he practices and if he's dedicated, he could be the man," said Player.

7/22/2013

Major McIlroy Will be Back - Ian Poulter

Ian Poulter believes Rory McIlroy needs to go his own way to rediscover the form which brought him two major titles by the age of 23.

McIlroy missed the cut in last week's Open Championship at Muirfield, labelling his own play "brain dead" following an opening round of 79.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman won five times last year, including his second major by eight shots in the USPGA Championship, to finish top of the money list on both sides of the Atlantic.

But he has yet to record a win in 2013 since a controversial multi-million pound switch to Nike in January, also damaging his reputation by walking off the course during his defence of the HondaClassic and bending a club out of shape during the final round of the US Open last month.

Asked if he had any advice for his Ryder Cup team-mate, Poulter said: "Stop reading the newspapers, stop listening to other people, go out there and do your stuff.

"There is a reason he was sought after by a new manufacturer and why they pay the big bucks because he is that good. He's just going to have to settle into the equipment, settle into himself being in a different environment now.

"The expectations after winning both money titles, there is some comedown after that. He just has to go out there and be himself."

Speaking at Woburn during his junior invitational event, Poulter added on Sky Sports News: "He knows how good he really is and the second he gets comfortable again you are going to see him winning golf tournaments.

"You don't win two majors by the age of 23 and disappear. Rory is here for a long time and he is going to be back at the top very soon."

9/24/2015

Related articles

10/21/2014

Related articles

10/14/2013

Related articles

8/07/2013

Related articles

8/01/2013

Related articles

7/27/2013

Related articles

7/22/2013

Related articles