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Miami — Golf icon Jack Nicklaus has secured a $50 million victory in a defamation lawsuit he filed in Florida against his past business associates.
On Monday, a jury comprised of six members in Palm Beach County concluded that the Nicklaus Companies had harmed the 18-time major winner’s reputation, subjecting him to ridicule and fostering distrust and contempt. While the company’s owner and executive chairman, Howard Milstein, along with executive Andrew O’Brien, were named as defendants, the jury did not find them personally accountable.
Eugene Stearns, representing Nicklaus, emphasized that the golf legend has dedicated his life to aiding others, earning recognition not only as an extraordinary athlete but also as an exemplary individual.
“Jack deserved far better than the treatment he received, and we’re gratified that the jury recognized the aggravating circumstances he faced,” Stearns stated.
The lawsuit highlighted Nicklaus’s claims that Milstein, O’Brien, and other company members disseminated false narratives alleging that Nicklaus contemplated an offer of $750 million to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League and that he was experiencing dementia, questioning his capability to manage his personal affairs.
Eugene Stearns, an attorney for Nicklaus, said Nicklaus has spent his life helping others and earning a reputation as not just a great athlete but a great human being.
“He deserved better than what he got, and we’re pleased that the jury addressed the particular circumstances that were so annoying,” Stearns said.
According to the lawsuit, Nicklaus, 85, claimed Milstein, O’Brien and others at the company spread false stories that Nicklaus considered a $750 million deal to join the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf League and that he was suffering from dementia and no longer mentally fit to manage his affairs.
Defense attorneys said at trial that Nicklaus Companies executives never tried to defame Nicklaus and argued the case was basically a business dispute. They said no harm was done to Nicklaus’ reputation and that there was no reason for a company that shared the golfer’s name to attack him.
Attorneys for Nicklaus Companies didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment Tuesday evening.
Earlier this year, a New York judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Nicklaus Companies against Nicklaus that attempted to prevent the golfer from using his name, image and likeness to promote his golf course design business.
Nicklaus joined Nicklaus Companies in 2007 as part of a $145 million deal but eventually quit and planned to continue designing golf courses on his own.
While Nicklaus is once again free to design golf courses under his own name, Nicklaus Companies retains the rights to sell clothing and equipment with “Jack Nicklaus” logos.
