Phil Mickelson "most likely will receive more than" $5M
per year to become Titleist's "marquee player" (see THE
DAILY, 11/17), according to John Davis of the ARIZONA
REPUBLIC, who noted Davis Love III, "who had been Titleist's
top-name pro, reportedly received" $5M per year in a ten-
year endorsement deal announced in September. Davis wrote
that Mickelson "became a much hotter property with his
brilliant season that was capped" when he beat Tiger Woods
in the Tour Championship two weeks ago. Mickelson, who has
played Yonex clubs since '92 and was the company's "primary
spokesman," has been "active in testing and endorsing"
Titleist's new ball. Mickelson's rep, Gaylord Sports
President & CEO Steve Loy, said that a "major corporate
headwear announcement" for Mickelson will be "completed
soon" (AZ REPUBLIC, 11/18). The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Liz
Mullen cites sources as saying that the "combined maximum
value" for the Titleist equipment deal and pending headwear
deal is $40-50M over five years. The headwear deal is "said
to be with a major financial company." Mullen adds that "to
hit the" $40-50M figure, Mickelson would "have to meet
certain incentive goals" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/20).
PLAYER DEALS: GOLF WORLD BUSINESS reports that the
"dispute between" Adams Golf and Nick Faldo (see THE DAILY,
11/15) "appears to be headed" to court. Adams Chair & CEO
Barney Adams, whose company declared Faldo in breach of
contract for declining to play its clubs that he endorsed,
said, "We're firmly grounded in our respective positions.
It looks like this is headed to court." At the Johnnie
Walker Classic, Faldo played with a "plain black golf bag
containing Mizuno irons," and his woods were "hidden under
plain black headcovers." Faldo: "If someone stops paying
me, I'm not going to represent them" (GOLF WORLD BUSINESS,
11/20)....Lee Westwood signed a multiyear deal to continue
playing Ping equipment (GOLF WORLD BUSINESS, 11/20).
SHARK KNOWS FLORIDA SPORTS: Greg Norman said that
"despite the small crowds," he was "pleased" with his
Franklin Templeton Shootout's debut at Doral Golf Resort &
Spa this past weekend. Norman added that TV and corporate
proceeds were "more critical than ticket sales," but said he
"plans to market and advertise more" next year. Norman: "It
was an interesting dilemma. How much do we sell? How much
do we really promote? Now, for this time of year, our
advertising budget for this tournament was fairly
substantial, considering. You are up against football, up
against NASCAR last weekend, college football this weekend.
The University of Miami's playing great, and Florida and FSU
played a game [Saturday] night, and [Sunday there was] the
Jets and Dolphins" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 11/20).
