Oddities in Titleist Parent Suit Against TaylorMade & Villegas

Earlier in the week, rumors that began at golf equipment forum Hacker's Paradise were confirmed that current Cobra and Titleist endorser Camilo Villegas would make the switch to TaylorMade-adidas (TMAG) in 2011.  TaylorMade-adidas made the announcement via a press release on August 3, which indicated that Villegas would "play TaylorMade® clubs, a TaylorMade ball, wear TaylorMade headwear, wear a TaylorMade glove, use a TaylorMade staff bag and wear adidas golf footwear."

TMAG said more details would be released on September 9 - the start of the BMW Championship on the PGA Tour.

Today, Titleist parent Acushnet filed an suit in Massachusetts Supreme Court seeking a preliminary injunction against TMAG and VIllegas which would prevent both from speaking further about their new partnership.  Acushnet also seeks monetary damages for the harm that the leak has done to the remaining value of Villegas' endorsement of their products.

In a release, Acushnet claims that "TMaG intentionally interfered with Villegas' current contract nearly five months before the end of its term."

"It is unconscionable that this competitor would interfere with a player's contract by publicly announcing its intentions with that player during his contract term with another company," said Joe Nauman, Executive Vice President, Corporate and Legal, Acushnet Company in the statement.  "The timing of TMaG's press release was obviously calculated to harm Acushnet Company and diminish the value of Camilo's endorsements.  The behavior of TMaG and Camilo's agent is reprehensible, causing Acushnet Company irreparable and significant damage.  Camilo is under contract with Acushnet Company through the end of the year and we expect the agreement to be honored throughout the term.  We fully expect the Court to act quickly in granting the preliminary injunction and providing the other relief being sought."

Waggle Room has reached out to both companies for comment and, at the time of original publishing, has not received comment.

The situation is bizarre on a couple of levels.  First, Acushnet filed for the temporary injunction in a state level court.  Typically, the litigation-active company files its complaints in federal court in Delaware.

Second, TaylorMade may have leaked this information prematurely such that it would make its way to Hacker's Paradise.  Days later, that report was confirmed with the formal announcement.  Was it a two step process to get the news out to the public?

FInally, the Acushnet release - and presumably the filing - does not mention anything about Villegas' relationship with Cobra.  It only talks about Titleist and FootJoy.  Cobra is in transition to Puma's hands, so it remains to be seen if Puma can and/or will sue Villegas and TMAG as well.  Waggle Room has asked Puma for comment on this possibility.

As the story evolves, this post will be updated.