• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Golf Equipment Maker TaylorMade Caught Up in Fight Over Who Owns It

Golf equipment maker TaylorMade, whose products are used by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has been put up for sale by a South Korean private-equity firm.

May 29, 2025; Dublin, Ohio, USA; The TaylorMade club cover of Tommy Fleetwood is seen during the first round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday golf tournament.
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

There’s a battle brewing between two Korean entities over ownership of golf equipment and apparel maker TaylorMade.

F&F Co. Ltd., a South Korean fashion company, issued a statement Wednesday accusing a fellow TaylorMade investor—Seoul-based private-equity firm Centroid—of “unilaterally” launching a sale process for TaylorMade “without obtaining F&F’s prior consent, prompting serious concerns.”

Centroid announced in May 2021 that it was buying TaylorMade from U.S. PE firm KPS Capital Partners. Although financial details were not disclosed, a report from The Korea Economic Daily pegged the transaction’s value at 1.8 trillion won ($1.7 billion at the time), and said it represented the largest-ever acquisition in the golf equipment industry. F&F was not named in the press release as an investor, but that summer The Korea Economic Daily reported F&F had joined as a strategic investor and would ultimately obtain a 49.51% stake.

The Korea Herald reported in March that a sale of TaylorMade could value the business at up to 5 trillion won ($3.5 billion).

In Wednesday’s statement, F&F claims it is the largest investor in TaylorMade, that its intent has always been to acquire the company, and “that strategic direction remains unchanged.” According to F&F, as part of the 2021 deal, it secured “key” rights, including a right of first refusal for potential buyouts.

“F&F will take all available legal and contractual measures to hold the responsible parties accountable,” the company stated. “We remain steadfast in our original investment objective and will deploy all necessary resources to pursue this goal.”

Representatives for Centroid and TaylorMade did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while a representative for F&F could not be reached (the media contact email provided in the company’s press release bounced back).

A potential new owner is something TaylorMade is used to. The company, formed in 1979, has changed hands many times since its formation in 1979. The company was privately owned until 1984, when French sports equipment maker Salomon SA bought the company. Salomon was acquired by Adidas in 1997 in a deal worth up to 8 billion francs ($1.4 billion at the time), according to The New York Times. Adidas sold Salomon to Amer Sports in 2005, but the deal did not include TaylorMade.

For more than a decade, things remained static, before private equity got involved through a 2017 deal under which KPS Capital Partners purchased TaylorMade from Adidas. That deal, worth $425 million, saw KPS pick up TaylorMade, Adams Golf, and Ashworth.

In 2021, Centroid announced the acquisition of TaylorMade from KPS, beginning the cycle that led to the new dispute between Centroid and F&F.

TaylorMade, which sponsors some of the most popular pro golfers and is used by dozens of others, has had strong business performance in recent years, according to The Korea Herald, which said in its March report that revenues “surged from $943 million in 2020 to $1.44 billion in 2023, driven by the brand’s strategic push into the golf ball market.” In addition to Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler, so-called “Team Taylor” golfers include Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson, and Sung Hyun Park.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

In the proposed deal, the Big Ten would spin off assets into a new entity.

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.
Oct 4, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys outside linebacker Poasa Ute (35) and Wendell Gregory (4) celebrate during the third quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.
exclusive

New Bill Aims to Prohibit Athletic Department, Conference Private-Equity Deals

The bill would bar schools from selling ownership stakes.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of several premier sponsors for the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, as seen on Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 14, 2024.
September 30, 2025

The Australian Soccer Player Running Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports

SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend says there is “genuine commitment” to social change.
Blake Bortles appears set to exit Jacksonville with a career 24-49 record.
October 1, 2025

Private Equity’s Sports Push Has Entered Overdrive

Athletes like Blake Bortles and Rob Gronkowski are diving into sports investing.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
September 30, 2025

Jozy Altidore: Becoming an NFL Owner Is Like Going Back to School

Altidore owns stakes in the Bills and the NWSL’s Bay FC.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) completes a pass during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium.
September 25, 2025

Patriots Become Fourth NFL Team to Add Private-Equity Investor

The minority stake sales value the team at more than $9 billion.
Napoli Basketball
September 25, 2025

Napoli Basketball, Campobasso Owner Charts Conglomerate Plan

Matt Rizzetta’s new corporate entity will house multiple pro teams and real estate assets.
Shaedon Sharpe
September 24, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Over Sale of Blazers Minority Stake

The Kings minority owners claim the Cherng Family Trust breached an agreement.