Nicklaus Sued By Nicklaus Companies, Alleged To Have Pursued Saudi Payday
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The love-hate relationship between Jack Nicklaus and Howard Milstein has reached full ugliness. Morning Read’s Alex Miceli dropped a bombshell during third round play of the PGA: Nicklaus Companies, owned by Milstein, is suing Jack Nicklaus for breach of contract, tortious interference and breach of fiduciary duty. The complaint was filed eight days ago in New York.
Milstein is also the owner of Golf Magazine/Golf.com/8 a.m. ventures in addition to the Nicklaus Companies.
The most alarming allegation: Milstein alleges Nicklaus had to be talked out of taking a brand-killing Saudi payday. This is rich since Milstein’s Golf has featured some suspicious Saudi spon-con style praise and a glowing rollout for a Nicklaus design there.
But the suit also comes just days after Nicklaus told Michael Bamberger that he turned down an offer to take the job now occupied by Greg Norman.
Nicklaus said. “I turned it down. Once verbally, once in writing. I said, ‘Guys, I have to stay with the PGA Tour. I helped start the PGA Tour.’”
Was Nicklaus trying to get his side out before the suit hit? Or is Milstein just trying to distance himself from the Saudi’s after his operation flirted with the Kingdom for a little apparent sponcon?
Screen captures from the suit, courtesy of NLU’s Big Randy:
