Jack Nicklaus Describes Relief After Massive Lawsuit Victory

Jack Nicklaus said for nan first clip Monday since winning a $50 cardinal judgement against nan institution that carries his name, saying nan past fewer years person been difficult arsenic he fought to beryllium capable to usage his sanction again successful business.

On Oct. 20, Nicklaus won his defamation suit against nan Nicklaus Companies.

“I did this point much for my family than for me,” Nicklaus told nan Palm Beach Post. “My bequest that I will person done nan years will beryllium very important to my family. I'm 85 years old, really agelong will I beryllium around? I don’t know. It’s not astir me. It’s astir nan early and family.

“But basically,” Nicklaus added, "a large load disconnected my shoulders.”

Nicklaus was portion of a sheet that convened astatine PGA National successful Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and included Henrik Stenson, Graeme McDowell and Annika Sorenstam connected behalf of a Conquer Cancer initiative.

As portion of nan event, Nicklaus brought up nan lawsuit, according to nan newspaper, and was shouted erstwhile he said he had prevailed 3 times successful court. Stenson past asked if it now intends he has 21 awesome championships alternatively of 18.

“These were a batch tougher,” Nicklaus said. “The play was easy.”

Nicklaus revenge nan defamation suit successful 2023, accusing 2 erstwhile associates—Howard Milstein and Andrew O’Brien—of attempting to harm his reputation. They had power of nan institution owed to a analyzable statement that dated to 2007 successful which Nicklaus sold disconnected a information of it for $145 million. Nicklaus attorneys based on that rumors were circulated that he had dementia, was nary longer capable to negociate his affairs and that he secretly was successful negotiations pinch nan LIV Golf League to go an ambassador for nan Saudi-backed circuit for a fig that they said went up to $750 million.

While Milstein and O’Brien were named separately successful nan lawsuit, neither was recovered personally liable.

“My NIL [name, image, license] is very important to me, it’s very important to my family,” Nicklaus said. “Sometimes you sewage to guidelines up for it and spell done what you person to spell through.

“Life changes for each of america arsenic we spell along. I’ve been very blessed. Allowed maine to triumph a fewer play tournaments, make a sanction for myself. Protect that. It’s very important.”

Nicklaus said he expects that nan suit will not beryllium resolved anytime soon.

“The proceedings, nan judge, nan assemblage were great,” he said. “I’m happy pinch nan outcome. Obviously, there’s going to beryllium astir apt appeals and that stuff. This will proceed to spell connected for a while.”