Jack Nicklaus Responds to $50 Million Verdict Regarding LIV Golf Claims

Jack Nicklaus, the 85-year-old golf legend, has broken his silence after winning a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his former company, emphasizing that he pursued the legal battle to protect his family’s future rather than for personal gain.

“My legacy that I will have through the years will be very important to my family. I’m 85 years old, how long will I be around? I don’t know. It’s not about me. It’s about the future and family. But basically [the result is] a big load off my shoulders,” Nicklaus told the Palm Beach Post in his first comments since the verdict.

On October 21, a six-person jury in Palm Beach County ruled that Nicklaus Companies, the firm he founded and later sold, had defamed the 18-time major champion with false claims that damaged his reputation and exposed him to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contempt.”

Among the most startling allegations made by the company was that Nicklaus had considered a $750 million offer to become the face of LIV Golf, the controversial Saudi PIF-backed golf league that has divided the professional golf world since its inception. The company also claimed Nicklaus was suffering from dementia and was no longer capable of managing his own affairs.

During the trial, attorneys for Nicklaus Companies attempted to argue that the golf icon’s sterling reputation in the sport made it impossible for him to be defamed. The defense strategy failed to convince the jury, though former business partners Howard Milstein and Andrew O’Brien were cleared of personal liability in the case.

The defamation lawsuit emerged from a broader legal battle over Nicklaus’s right to use his own name, image, and likeness (NIL) for business purposes. After resigning from Nicklaus Companies in 2017, the golfer was bound by a five-year non-compete clause that prevented him from pursuing independent golf course design projects, a field where the Golden Bear had established a formidable reputation.

When that clause expired in 2022, Nicklaus sought arbitration to clarify his rights. In response, Nicklaus Companies sued him in New York, making the allegations that would later form the basis of his defamation claim, including that he was secretly negotiating with LIV Golf and diverting business opportunities away from the company.

“My NIL is very important to me, it’s very important to my family,” Nicklaus explained. “Sometimes you got to stand up for it and go through what you have to go through. Life changes for all of us as we go along. I’ve been very blessed. Allowed me to win a few golf tournaments, make a name for myself. Protect that. It’s very important.”

The dispute highlights the complex relationship between sports legends and the commercial enterprises built around their names and achievements. Nicklaus’s case is particularly significant in an era when athlete image rights have become increasingly valuable assets, especially in golf where careers can span decades and extend into course design, equipment endorsements, and tournament hosting.

While expressing satisfaction with the jury’s decision, Nicklaus acknowledged that the legal matter is far from over. “The proceedings, the judge, the jury were great. I’m happy with the outcome. Obviously, there’s going to be probably appeals and that stuff. This will continue to go on for a while.”

The verdict represents a significant victory for one of golf’s most revered figures, whose 18 major championships remain the benchmark against which all professional golfers are measured. For Nicklaus, however, the case was less about the substantial monetary award and more about safeguarding his legacy for generations to come.