Jack Nicklaus has won a $50 million defamation suit against LIV Golf, Dementia claims

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus was awarded $50 million Monday in his defamation lawsuit against his former company, Nicklaus Companies, after he accused the company and two executives of spreading false rumors about him considering a $750 million deal to join LIV Golf.

A jury in Palm Beach County, Florida, reached the verdict after finding that Nicklaus’ reputation had been damaged and that the 85-year-old had been subjected to “ridicule, hatred, distrust, distrust or contempt” over the allegations, which included claims that the 18-time major champion was suffering from dementia and was not mentally fit to manage his affairs. According to the Palm Beach Post.

Billionaire banking billionaire Howard Milstein, CEO of Nicklaus Companies, and CEO Andrew O’Brien were individually named in the lawsuit, but the jury ruled in their favor, meaning they will not have to pay additional damages.

The Palm Beach Post reported that Nicklaus hugged his family and friends after the sentencing, though he directed questions to his attorney.

“It’s always difficult in a defamation case to prove damage to reputation, because for someone like Jack in particular, that’s always a good thing,” Nicklaus’ attorney, Eugene Stearns, said. He told ESPN. “But I think what was important was the controversy that arose three and a half years ago when the company told the world that Jack was selling out the PGA Tour for Saudi golf, when that wasn’t true. So, we’re pleased that Jack was vindicated.”

These allegations first came to light in a lawsuit filed by the company against Nicklaus in New York, which was reported in the media.

“These are the people who planted the story,” Stearns told jurors during closing arguments, according to the Palm Beach Post. “The story is a lie. What they wanted to create in the public’s mind is that Jack Nicklaus is an old man who sold out to the Saudis.”

Lawyers for the defendants said the executives never wanted to tarnish Nicklaus’ reputation.

Nicklaus’ company, Golden Bear International, was absorbed into the new Nicklaus companies in a $145 million deal in 2007.

When Nicklaus retired from his executive position in 2017, it triggered a five-year non-compete clause that stipulated that he could not endorse products outside his former company or design golf courses, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Nicklaus sought arbitration in 2022 to ensure he could use his name, image and likeness again, and was then sued by Nicklaus’ companies for allegedly violating the agreements. The company’s lawsuit included LIV Golf’s accusations.