Caddies File Lawsuit Against PGA

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District for the Northern District of California, seeks to be certified as a class action on behalf of all United Sates caddies that have not been paid for wearing bibs with the Tour’s sponsors’ logos on them during tournaments. If certified, the class will consist of approximately 1000 caddies and likely seek to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from the PGA Tour.

Hicks and the other caddies are claiming that while they are not the focus of televised tournaments, they are visible on-screen. The golfers rely heavily on their caddies for advice, emotional support and their expertise in all aspects of competitive golf. The caddy’s presence during the tournaments elevates the level of their golfer’s play, which in turn enhances the marketability of the tournament.

Although caddies are employed by the golfers and not the PGA Tour, they are still required to comply with the Tour’s regulations as required in their contract for participating in the tournaments. Interestingly, caddies are allowed to wear sponsored logos on their clothing during tournaments and to be paid for doing so by the apparel companies such as Nike, Under Armour, and others. However, the caddies are also asked to wear bibs that advertise the companies paying for the PGA Tour without receiving compensation. The court will be asked to decide whether the caddies should be compensated for wearing these bibs.

We will continue to monitor this case, so be sure to check back for updates. If you have a question regarding sports law or how we can assist you, contact the knowledgeable lawyers at The Swenson Law Firm to schedule an appointment.

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