A jury in Florida has awarded multiple major champion Jack Nicklaus $50m in damages after he successfully sued his former company for defamation.
Nicklaus co-founded the Nicklaus Companies in 2007 and subsequently sold a minority share to the billionaire banker Howard Milstein for $145m.
The Golden Bear resigned from the company in 2017 but a non-compete clause prevented the golf legend from engaging in course design independently for five years.
A bitter dispute followed when, in 2022, Nicklaus sought arbitration to clarify his rights. A judge ultimately sided with the golfer but the 18-time major winner was not content to end the matter there.
He decided to sue Milstein, his business partner Andrew O’Brien and Nicklaus Companies LLC for defamation of character.
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Attorneys for Nicklaus argued false stories were spread about the hall of famer, chief of which he had to be “saved from himself” from agreeing to a $750m deal with the PIF-backed LIV Golf.
Nicklaus claimed the initial litigation also contained defamatory statements such as he was no longer fit to manage his affairs and was even suffering from dementia.
The defamation trial began earlier in September and Nicklaus gave evidence to the jury last week.
Attorneys for the defendants tried to explain to the jury that Nicklaus’s enduring relevance meant that his reputation was not harmed at all.
There was also a moment of pure comedy when defence attorney Barry Postman joked to the judge about Nicklaus’s role in Happy Gilmore 2, starring Adam Sandler.
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But a Florida jury has determined Nicklaus Companies LLC damaged his reputation and subjected him to “ridicule, hatred, distrust or contempt”.
He has been awarded $50m in damages.
The jury cleared Milstein and O’Brien for personal liability.
Explained, the Jack Nicklaus legal situation
Jack Nicklaus co-founded the Nicklaus Companies in 2007 and sold a minority stake to Milstein for $145m.
Milstein eventually gained full control but Nicklaus resigned in 2017.
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A non-compete agreement in his contract prevented him from engaging in golf course design independently for five years.
After it expired, Nicklaus sought arbitration to clarify his rights.
In July 2024, a judge ruled Nicklaus was no longer bound by the non-compete.
A month later, Nicklaus sued Milstein, O’Brien and Nicklaus Companies for defamation.
In the initial court documents, it was claimed that Nicklaus considered joining the PIF-backed LIV but had to be “saved from himself”.
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Nicklaus argued these statements have damaged his reputation and professional opportunities.
The trial began in early September.
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