Former world No. 1 golfer Dustin JohnsonAccording to the apparel company, he wont be sporting an Adidas logo on his shirt for this season.
ESPN has learned that Johnson, who won LIV Golf’s inaugural individual championship, and led his 4Aces Golf team to a team championship, is ending his 15 year sponsorship deal with Adidas Golf to help build the 4Aces brand. According to the source, the split is an amicable separation .
Weve mutually accepted to part ways with longtime Adidas athlete, Dustin Johnson, Adidas Golf president Jeff Lienhart announced in a statement sent to ESPN. For more 15 years, Dustin was a great ambassador of the Adidas brand. We have been privileged to witness Dustin win multiple major championships and climb to the No. Dustin has been able to cement his status as one of the greatest golfers in history, while still wearing the 3-Stripes. We wish Dustin success in the future.
ESPN was also informed by an Adidas spokesperson that Adidas has ended its relationship with the 2017 Masters champion. Sergio Garcia, who is captain for the Fireballs GC team of the LIV Golf League. The spokesperson for Adidas stated that Garcias contract was not renewed by Adidas.
Johnson, 38 is an equity owner and captain for the 4Aces GC. According to sources, Johnson believes that wearing the logo on his shirt is important in building the brand identity and franchise value of the 4Aces GC.
One source said that Adidas relationship was not good enough to fit into his plans. A key part of starting a team, is creating a brand identity and building that company. The shirt is the main asset.
The source stated that a major part the LIV Golf Leagues sponsorship model involves selling space for logos on shirts. This is similar in style to what Formula 1 does on their cars and NASCAR and Formula 1 do with their cars.
Source said that they wanted the whole shirt. DJ needed a clean break in order to start his team. Adidas allowed him to walk away from the deal.
According to a source, Johnson plans to wear Adidas shoes even if he isnt compensated by Adidas. Sources said Johnsons relationship to TaylorMade remained unchanged.
Shortly after turning pro in 2007, Johnson signed an apparel sponsorship agreement with Adidas. Johnson signed a second long-term agreement with the German-based company in 2016. Financial details were not disclosed at the time.
Johnson stated that Adidas Golf is more than just a sponsor in a September 2016 statement. They have been there for me since the beginning of my career. Weve collaborated and created together. I am grateful for the support Adidas Golf has provided me and look forward seeing what we can accomplish together going forward.
Adidas honored Johnson and Wayne Gretzky in February 2022 with a limited-edition Tour360 22 shoe.
Johnson, a twice-major champion, won 24 PGA Tour tournaments before signing a deal for LIV Golf. The deal reportedly guaranteed Johnson up to $150 million. Johnson won LIV Golfs September tournament outside Boston and was awarded $35.6 million in purses, bonuses and other prizes in the circuits inaugural year.
Johnson moved to LIV Golf after the Royal Bank of Canada, which was one of his sponsors, ended their relationship with him. LIV Golf is being financed through Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund, and is led by two-time Open winner, David Suzuki. Greg Norman. RBC sponsors PGA Tour events on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and in Canada.
Adidas CEO Kasper Rosted described LIV Golfs emergence as part of the normal evolutionary of golf in August and stated that the company would remain a sponsor to the individual.
Rorsted said that the normal evolution is taking place and that it was ultimately up to the bodies to decide what they do. We have the same conversation when we look at the Champions League or World Cup with UEFA/FIFA. We have a very strong view of players, and in essence we want to ensure that we partner only with the best player. This is how easy it is.
Adidas sponsors LIV Golfs Joaquin Niemann, as PGA Tour stars Collin MorikawaAnd Xander Schauffele.
LIV Golfs second season starts at Mayakoba, Mexico on Friday.