• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Dustin Johnson, Adidas Part Ways Ahead of LIV Golf Season

  • Johnson is looking to focus on building the brand of 4Aces GC.
  • The 38-year-old signed with the German sports apparel brand shortly after going pro in 2007.
Dustin Johnson with a neutral expression
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

One of LIV Golf’s superstar captains is splitting ways with his longtime sponsor ahead of the controversial league’s second season.

Dustin Johnson and Adidas have agreed to an “amicable separation,” as the former world No. 1 is looking to focus on building the brand of 4Aces GC, per ESPN.

Johnson, who won LIV’s inaugural Individual and Team Championships with 4Aces last season, wants to acquire sponsors to put on his team’s shirts — and he’ll need a blank slate to do it.

“A major part of starting a team is establishing a brand identity and building that brand. The primary asset is the shirt,” a source close to Johnson told ESPN. “They want the entire shirt… DJ needed a clean break to start his team. He’s grateful to Adidas for letting him out of the deal.”

“For more than 15 years, Dustin has been a great ambassador for the Adidas brand,” Adidas Golf president Jeff Lienhart said in a statement to ESPN. “We wish Dustin nothing but success moving forward.”

The 38-year-old signed with the German sports apparel brand shortly after going pro in 2007. Johnson then extended his deal with the company in 2016 for an undisclosed amount.

Johnson will reportedly keep wearing Adidas shoes while playing even though he won’t be compensated. His relationship with TaylorMade is reportedly unchanged.

Two other LIV golfers had deals with Adidas when they first came over to the upstart golf promotion: Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia recently did not have his deal with the company renewed, an Adidas spokesperson told ESPN, while Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann’s status with the company remains unchanged for now.

LIV PGA Court

Judge Upholds PGA Tour’s Subpoenas for PIF, Al-Rumayyan

LIV Golf argued that all the tour’s leaders were based in the…
February 17, 2023

Getting partnerships is no longer a pipedream for LIV Golf.

On Wednesday, LIV announced its long-awaited first corporate partnership, a deal with EasyPost as the league’s official shipping solutions partner.

EasyPost has a board member Abdulla AlBanna who is a Partner at Mubadala, an Emirati state-owned holding company, according to SI.com’s Bob Harig. The search for the first unconnected sponsor continues.

However, it’s not all good news for LIV Golf: A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the PGA Tour could add Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and PIF’s governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, as counterclaim defendants in its case against LIV.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bethpage Black Joins Trend of Hosting Top Men’s, Women’s Tournaments

The 2028 Women’s PGA Championship will be there for the first time.
Apr 9, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Patrons move about the course during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Amazon Will Air Early Masters Coverage

Prime will complement the coverage provided by CBS Sports and ESPN
January 5, 2025; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Hideki Matsuyama hits his fairway shot on the 13th hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament at Plantation Course at Kapalua.

PGA Tour’s January Season Opener Won’t Be Played At Kapalua

The Sentry’s longtime home is no longer able to host the tournament.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Joe Burrow
September 15, 2025

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.