Jack Nicklaus wins arbitration against his namesake company
Jack Nicklaus has won an arbitration case against his namesake company, meaning he can design golf courses again.
A Florida arbitrator has settled his dispute with Jack W. Bush. Niclaus and NicklauS Companies LLC was determined by non -competitive courses after judging that NICLAUS was no longer limited to employment contracts with the company, and was demanded by corporate customers and employees. The affair lasted six months.
Nicklaus said in a statement that “the arbitration process has been a difficult experience, but I am grateful that it has concluded.” In late 2022, Nicklaus began offering golf course design services through a new business venture, 1-JN.
“I continue to do what makes me happy: bringing new golf courses to life and making old ones new again,” he said. “…I’m involved in some big projects right now and looking forward to many more now that the attempts to lock me out have failed.”
Winner of 18 major professional titles and host of the Memorial Tournament, a PGA Tour event in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, Nicklaus has more than 300 course design credits. He became embroiled in a legal battle with New York businessman Howard Milstein several years after selling his minority stake in the Nicklaus Companies in 2007.
Milstein eventually took control of management and ownership of the Nicklaus Companies and expanded it to include other golf-related ventures. Nicklaus’ employment with both companies ended in June 2017, subject to a five-year non-compete clause expiring in 2022. During this five-year period, Nicklaus continued to provide design services to Nicklaus.
He will terminate his professional relationship with the organizations in May 2022. In a statement released Wednesday, Nicklaus Companies LLC said the arbitrator’s decision only applied to the employment agreement, and that the arbitrator rejected Nicklaus Companies’ request for rights to the @JackNicklaus social media accounts that the company created after Jack Nicklaus sold his interest.
The companies said in their statement that “Nicklaus’ intellectual property, including the commercial rights to Jack’s name, image and likeness, remains the property of Nicklaus Companies LLC,” citing a preliminary injunction granted in 2016 by the New York State Supreme Court. Separate. Court.
Decision. Action. Indeed, while the Florida arbitration was resolved, a lawsuit filed by the Nicklaus Companies against Jack Nicklaus in New York is ongoing and raises similar issues about Nicklaus’ ability to operate independently and use his name and image in his activities. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. “We look forward to finally resolving these matters in the New York Supreme Court.”
The company also said that Nicklaus Companies LLC “will continue to offer Jack the golf course and marketing opportunities. We respect that it is up to Jack whether he wants to work on the project.” We are currently working with Jack on design projects and look forward to offering him more golfing opportunities in the future.
