As we all know, one of the most mind-boggling aspects of LIV Golf Invitational Series is the amount of money involved.
Phil Mickelson, the de facto face of the controversial series, previously confirmed this (to his great dismay) that he was paid approximately 200 million dollars.
Other figures, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, have also signed lucrative contracts in northern North America. 100 million dollars.
If reports about Cameron Smith are to be believed, then he too will soon join the emerging circuit for a similar figure that will make your head spin.
However, we do not know the precise details of what they must do in exchange for these sums. Play golf, of course. But what exactly do their contracts say?
Over the past week audienceFederal Judge Beth Labson Freeman brought the topic to light 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 playoffs .
More: The brutal remark made by the judge about LIV Golf
What she had to say was enlightening.
She had copies of the LIVGolf contracts signed by Gooch, Swafford and Jones.
Freeman and LIV’s attorney were discussing the topic of conflicting events and media rights statements.
She then remarked: “But from what I understand about these contracts, these contracts lock these players in in a way that the PGA Tour would never have imagined. They are so restrictive.”
LIV’s lawyer said he thought it was an unfair remark.
However, the Wall Street Journal having obtained a draft contract. The publication reports that it is unclear whether the conditions are included in all LIV contracts.
Take a look at the key details of the draft LIV contract:
- Players are expected to wear LIV clothing, even when participating in non-LIV events.
- Players are asked to refrain from giving interviews without authorization
- Players agree to assist in recruiting other players for LIV, upon request.
- Players need approval for most logos they wear and branded merchandise, such as coffee mugs they use at events.
- Players receive a 1 million dollars bonus for winning one of golf’s four major championships
The PGA Tour has filed a motion with the court to try to unseal the contracts.
The Journal reports that a federal judge will decide next week whether to unseal them.
We might have all the juicy details soon.