The S.S. Phil Mickelson is taking on heavy water. It’s listing and well on its way to sinking.
Mickelson’s endorsement world continues to crumble — the dominoes are falling.
First KPMG bailed on its longtime spokesman.
Then Workday fired Phil as the firm’s “business caddie.”
Heineken, owner of the Amstel Light brand basically said — No More Beer For You, Phil.
Then Callaway, Mickelson’s flagship sponsor, has turned its back on Lefty despite their “lifetime” (17-year) contract with him.
The Callaway official statement:
“Callaway does not condone Phil Mickelson’s comments and we were very disappointed in his choice of words — they in no way reflect our values or what we stand for as a company. Phil has apologized and we know he regrets how he handled recent events. We recognize his desire to take time away from the game and respect that decision. At this time we have agreed to pause our partnership & will reevaluate our ongoing relationship at a later date.”
Sounds a lot like: Later, Lefty.
Now AmEx has given Mickelson the boot as their host/ambassador for the tournament that is the descendant of the Bob Hope Classic. AmEx has also bid adios to the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation as the event’s beneficiary.
Serious stuff.
Forbes Magazine estimated that Mickelson’s endorsement deals paid him in the neighborhood of $40 million a year. Looks like that’s going to zero.
All this as a result of Mickelson’s dealings with the non-existent Saudi League.
Mickelson made it worse with his “statement” that didn’t include the PGA Tour in the apologies.
Mickelson also said he’s stepping away from the Tour and perhaps golf altogether. More will be revealed when the Masters rolls around in a little more than a month. Will Mickelson show up at Augusta National.
Surely the guys in the Green Jackets are hoping he stays home.
One Comment
baxter cepeda
What a mess.
Phil lost his sponsors mainly for his mean words about the Tour; and maybe for his double agent shenanigans.
Not sure his involvement with the Saudis had anything to do with losing his sponsors. The Saudis have been putting money into many high level pro sports including golf for a while. The euro tour, the ladies tour and the Asian tour all have history with them. But no one is blackballing those tours.
While no one likes some of the things that go on in that country, sports has been sold out to it and will continue to be.
But Phil’s mouth attacking the pga tour and it’s commissioner to the extent he has, an organization which many of Phil’s sponsors want to be associated with, is what has him in this position over anything else. And, you know, it’s kind of deserved. Saying lines were crossed is an understatement.
As Tom mentions Phils apology? Only made it worse.
I don’t know how Phil comes back from this. I just hope he does.
There’s a ton of guys on tour with no star quality making a lot more than they deserve because of a few stars like Phil. Golf is better with Phil involved. How his mess and this bitter issue gets cleaned up if ever is anyone’s guess.
But it’s worth it. The guy is 51 and still top 2 most popular golfers in the whole world. Phil is a mess worth cleaning up imo