Moore Money: Former Top Amateur Signs With Ping

Wanting Moore: Ping Signs New Pro To Endorsement Deal

Pro golfer Ryan Moore, “one of the most heralded amateur golfers of all-time,” has signed a deal with Ping, according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. Moore will use a Ping driver, irons and putter, and will wear a Ping hat and carry a Ping staff bag. Moore hired Gaylord Sports as his advisors, “but apparently won’t allow the firm to take the standard percentage and instead is having his family heavily involved in his business” (ESPN.com, 7/6).

MOVE HIM UP THE LIST: Gaylord President Steve Loy said Sports Illustrated “undervalued” his client, Phil Mickelson, when the magazine placed him ninth on its list of the 50 highest-paid U.S. athletes. SI reported Mickelson earned $21M annually in endorsements; Tiger Woods was first at $80M. Loy said that Mickelson “has one contract that exceeds” $21M, and that Mickelson’s overall income from endorsements “exceeds $50[M], enough to place him ahead of No. 2 Andre Agassi” (USA TODAY, 7/6).