• Loading stock data...
Monday, November 4, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
Law

Phil Mickelson, Others Withdraw from LIV Golf Lawsuit Against PGA Tour

  • Mickelson was the most notable plaintiff when the antitrust lawsuit was filed against the PGA Tour.
  • Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, and Ian Poulter also withdrew from the case.
Mickelson
Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

Phil Mickelson and three LIV Golf pros withdrew as plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour on Tuesday. 

Mickelson had been the headline plaintiff in the lawsuit when it was first filed in August. In a separate federal court filing, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, and Ian Poulter also withdrew as plaintiffs. 

“Nothing has changed,” LIV Golf said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “The merits of the lawsuit — the PGA Tour’s anti-competitive conduct — still stand and will be fully tested in court, and we look forward to it.

“We stand by the players who the PGA Tour has treated so poorly, but we also recognize to be successful we no longer need a wide variety of players to be on the suit. We have our players’ backs and will press our case in court against the PGA’s anti-competitive behavior.”

Mickelson gave an indication earlier this month that he was going to drop out of the lawsuit. 

“Now that LIV is involved, it’s not necessary for me to be involved,’’ Mickelson told Sports Illustrated in a story published on Aug. 15. “I currently still am. I don’t know what I’m going to do, really.”

In total, five plaintiffs have withdrawn from the lawsuit. Pat Perez withdrew from the case in August. Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Jason Kokrak also were dropped when an amended complaint. was filed last month.

That leaves three former PGA Tour players as the original defendants: Matt Jones, Bryson DeChambeau and Peter Uihlein. 

Gooch and Swafford were among the plaintiffs — along with Jones — who were denied an injunction by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman on Aug 9. The three players had sought the injunction to clear them to play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs. 

The case is scheduled to go to trial — if it survives summary judgment as the PGA Tour will bid to get the case dismissed — in January 2024.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Nick Dunlap of Tuscaloosa, Ala., tees off on the 18th during the third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

PGA Tour Could Get More Exclusive Under Proposed Rule Changes

This is the latest move to consolidate more prize money and rankings points.

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team Fights for Title As Lawsuit Remains

Tyler Reddick won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Surprising Start to MLB’s Offseason

0:00

Featured Today

Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.
Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
November 1, 2024

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.
October 18, 2024

Lawsuit Targets Illegal Prop and Pick ’Em Bets

PrizePicks paid $15 million to New York regulators for a similar reason.
Jun 25, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan on pit road during qualifying for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
October 18, 2024

NASCAR: Michael Jordan Suit Using Discovery As ‘Weapon’ 

Jordan’s racing company is suing NASCAR over antitrust practices.