[David Wuthrich]

Why the new PGA Tour deal with FedEx might cause problems for some players down the road: http://glfdig.st/CNYTvQh
I understand why FedEx would want this and I also understand why the Tour agreed to it.
However, I see this as opening Pandora's box in years to come.  What if, for example, the Wells Fargo Championship would not allow anyone to compete in their event if the player has another Financial firm's logo???
Thoughts?

[Josh Tarble]

It's like that in nearly every other sport/sponsorship arena.  You pay for exclusivity.  The only reason this one works is because FedEx is paying the PGA Tour.  It wouldn't work at any other event (maybe besides the Players) because those events are essentially ran by 3rd parties for the Tour.


I also think it could be even better for the players.  Of course the big names won't get a sponsorship by UPS or DHL. But can you imagine the commotion caused when Graham McDowell (used for reference) can't play in the FedEx because he's sponsored by UPS.  Not only will UPS look like the good guy, Graham will have been paid handsomely for his "sacrifice" and make more money than he likely would have anyway by playing in those events.

[ChipRoyce]

Yes, its completely within FedEx's perogative. However from THE TOUR's perspective, this is bad for biz, plain and simple.


Historically, there's never been exclusivity provisions such as this. If allowed to continue, likely to cascade and create vulnerabilities for other golf tours to exploit.

[Matthew Petersen]

I do agree that it seems like a dangerous precedent to set.


If there was a line of companies a mile long outside Ponte Vedre all clamoring for the chance to be title sponsors for Tour events, that'd be one thing. But that is decidedly not the case, especially for big dollar events like the WGC.


Sure seems like when the Tour needs a new sponsor the options are limited enough that the company has the greater bargaining power and it would not surprise me at all to see those companies make similar requests as part of their sponsorship agreements.

[Wade Whitehead]

Sounds like players with existing UPS contracts (Westwood, Oosthuizen) will be grandfathered.

WW

[Mike Sweeney]

I understand why FedEx would want this and I also understand why the Tour agreed to it.

It is pretty simple, when FANS start watching something else, it will change. I am watching The Players and saw a promo for the NCAA DI Championships. We might have to drop to DIII in person to find purity in sports...

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