Trial: Jack Nicklaus wins $50 million - “A big stone that falls from my heart”

Following a grueling legal conflict, golf icon Jack Nicklaus (85) has achieved significant success in a libel lawsuit against his former business unit, the Nicklaus Companies. On October 20, a jury in Palm Beach County awarded the star $50 million in damages. In his first public statements following the verdict, Nicklaus expressed his deep relief at the end of this legal dispute.

“I did this thing more for my family than for myself,” Nicklaus explained, highlighting that he was primarily concerned with protecting his reputation and his life's work. He added: “But basically a big rock that falls from my heart.”

The allegations: Jack Nicklaus' alleged connection to LIV Golf

The lawsuit, which Nicklaus filed in 2023, was directed against the Nicklaus Companies and executives Howard Milstein and Andrew O'Brien. Nicklaus claimed that his previous partners had orchestrated a smear campaign against him. At the heart of the allegations were two particularly defamatory stories:

1. LIV Golf allegations: The false report was spread that Nicklaus secretly had a contract worth up to $750 million for an ambassador role with the Saudi-financed LIV Golf League considered. Nicklaus' lawyer, Eugene Stearns, clarified in court that this story was fictitious. “These people started a story. The story is a lie. What they wanted to create in the minds of the public was that Jack Nicklaus was an old man who sold himself to the Saudis.” Nicklaus had attended a meeting with Gulf Saudi representatives to discuss building a golf course, but declined any involvement in the rival LIV series.
2. Doubts about legal capacity: Rumors were also circulated that Nicklaus was suffering from dementia and was no longer able to manage his business affairs. Stearns summarized the defendant's implicit claim: “What they said was: 'You have to take away the keys from him. '”

The verdict: Jack Nicklaus receives 50 million dollars

After four and a half hours of deliberation, the jury decided on the defamation lawsuit with an unequivocal vote:

• Responsibility of the company: The Nicklaus Companies were ordered to pay. The jury found that the company was actively involved in the dissemination of false facts. These actions would have damaged the 18-time major champion's reputation and exposed him to “ridicule, hate, suspicion, suspicion, or contempt.”
• Exclusion of personal liability: The named managers Howard Milstein and Andrew O'Brien were released from the personal payment obligation. The compensation of $50 million is to be paid by the company.
• The meaning of the name: Nicklaus explained why this legal step seemed essential to him: “My NIL [name, image, license] is very important to me, it is very important to my family. Sometimes you have to stand up for it and go through what you have to go through.”

Jack Nicklaus: “The golf was easy”

The legal dispute was the culmination of a complex and lengthy business dispute that began after Nicklaus sold parts of his company in 2007. During a panel discussion following the verdict, Nicklaus was jokingly asked whether his three recent court victories should now be counted among 21 major titles. His answer illustrated the immense tension of the process:

“That was much harder. The golf was easy.”

Although Nicklaus welcomes the result, he is aware that the legal process is not yet over. He expects potential appeals that will “allow the case to continue for a while.” Regardless of the sequel, the jury's decision represents significant confirmation and rehabilitation for Jack Nicklaus.