Acushnet sues TaylorMade and Villegas
Three days ago Camilo Villegas made headlines when it was officially announced the golfer would become a TaylorMade staff player in the 2011 season. Today Acushnet has filed a lawsuit against TaylorMade-adidas Golf as well as Villegas, claiming that Villegas violated his contract with them by going public about the new deal.
According to Acushnet Villegas is still under contract with them, and TaylorMade “intentionally interfered with Villegas’ current contract nearly five months before the end of its term.”
Along with damages Acushnet is seeking a preliminary injunction that, if passed, will prevent Villegas and TaylorMade from discussing their new deal. Too bad the cat’s already out of the bag.
The 28-year old Columbian golf star is known for playing with Cobra golf clubs, sporting FootJoy golf shoes, and playing in the Titleist Prov V1. Acushnet sold Cobra to Puma in March, but TaylorMade announced Villegas would be switching to their products full time next season before it was released if he would remain with Cobra’s new owners.
Villegas is a valuable and well known player throughout the world. He is ranked 25th and is one of golf’s most globally recognizable ambassadors.
On August 3rd TaylorMade’s CEO and President Mark King held a press conference to announce their future partnership with Villegas, stating he would be joining “Other members of the renowned TaylorMade Tour Staff” which includes American Kenny Perry and Canadian Mike Weir.
Coincidently, Weir and Perry are also under contract with Acushnet to play Titleist golf balls and wear FootJoy golf gloves. More information about the partnership with Villegas is scheduled to be released on September 9th.
Acushnet feels that TMaG had malicious intentions behind the press release. Joe Nauman, Executive Vice President, voiced these concerns in a press conference Friday.
“It is unconscionable that this competitor would interfere with a player's contract by publicly announcing its intentions with that player during his contract term with another company," he said. “The timing of TMaG's press release was obviously calculated to harm Acushnet Company and diminish the value of Camilo's endorsements. The behavior of TMaG and Camilo's agent is reprehensible, causing Acushnet Company irreparable and significant damage.”
Despite their disappointment at Villegas, Acushnet fully expects the golfer to honor the contract until it comes to terms.
“Camilo is under contract with Acushnet Company through the end of the year and we expect the agreement to be honored throughout the term. We fully expect the Court to act quickly in granting the preliminary injunction and providing the other relief being sought."
This isn’t the first time Acushnet had golfers jump ship before their contract was up; Phil Mickelson bailed early to sign with Callaway and David Duval left for Nike Golf.
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