Jack Nicklaus has “secured the right to use his own name, image and likeness” after being involved in a lawsuit brought against him by the company he founded -- Nicklaus Companies, LLC -- to secure such rights, according to Jason Lusk of GOLFWEEK. Judge Joel Cohen confirmed that Nicklaus Companies, owned by N.Y.-based banker Howard Milstein, “still owns the trademarks for the company” and can “continue to do business, such as selling clothing and equipment with the Nicklaus name and logos, including ‘Golden Bear.‘” Milstein’s company can also “continue to design golf courses under the Nicklaus banner without participation” from the former golfer. But Nicklaus can also “design golf courses under his own name and likeness.” Nicklaus has “sued Milstein in a defamation case stemming from Milstein’s claims” that he had “sought a role with LIV Golf several years ago,” a claim that he “denies.” A spokesperson for Milstein said that he plans to “appeal Justice Cohen’s ruling in the latest case” (GOLFWEEK, 4/2).
IDENTITY CRISIS: In Columbus, Rob Oller wrote an identity should “never be held hostage, even when done legally.” The “real” Nicklaus “still comes out ahead in the ruling, because he gets to pursue his version of name, image and likeness” by continuing to “advertise and sell his design services and promote golf courses, which is where the big money is, under his own name.” Some things, “like a person’s NIL, should be above the law,” though Oller wondered if Nicklaus made “errors in judgment along the way.” All along he “mostly just wanted to regain his identity” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 4/2).
