Report: Draft LIV Golf contract reveals stunning restrictions and bonuses
A report has revealed some fascinating details about the contracts the LIV Golf players have signed, which include a $1million bonus for winning a major.
As we all know, one of the most mind-boggling aspects of the LIV Golf Invitational Series is the amount of money involved.
Phil Mickelson, the de facto face of the controversial series, previously confirmed (much to his dismay) that he was getting paid approximately $200m.
Other figures, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson have also commanded lucrative deals north of $100m.
If reports are to be believed about Cameron Smith, then he too will soon be joining the fledgling circuit for a similar figure that will make your head spin.
However, we do not know the precise details about what they have to do in exchange for these sums. Play golf, of course. But what, exactly, do their contracts say?
During last week's court hearing, federal judge Beth Labson Freeman shone a light on the subject as she heard arguments for and against whether three LIV players (Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones) should be allowed to play in the PGA Tour's postseason.
More: The brutal remark made by the judge about LIV Golf
What she had to say was illuminating.
She had copies of the LIV Golf contracts signed by Gooch, Swafford and Jones.
Freeman and the LIV attorney were discussing the topic of conflicting events and media rights releases.
Then she remarked: "But from what I understand of these contracts, these are — these contracts lock up these players in ways that the PGA Tour never imagined. They are so restrictive."
The LIV attorney said he believed this was an unfair remark.
However, the Wall Street Journal have obtained a draft contract. The publication report that it isn't clear if the terms are included in all the LIV contracts.
Take a look at the key details of the draft LIV contract:
- Players are supposed to wear LIV apparel, even when playing in non-LIV events
- Players are instructed to refrain from giving interviews without approval
- Players agree to assist in recruiting other players to LIV, when requested
- Players need approval for most of the logos they wear and branded products, such as coffee mugs that they use at events
- Players are awarded a $1million bonus for winning any of golf's four major championships
The PGA Tour have filed a motion with the court to try and get the contracts unsealed.
The Journal report that a federal judge will decide next week on whether to unseal them.
We could be getting all the juicy details soon.
