LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson and Adidas ‘end 15-year sponsorship deal as the American looks to grow his 4Aces brand on breakaway circuit’ – while apparel giant also cuts ties with fellow rebel Sergio Garcia
American LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson will not be wearing Adidas clothing for the breakaway league’s season opener this week.
The apparel giant has split with the former world No. 1 after a 15-year relationship, according to multiple reports.
Johnson wanted to end the sponsorship deal in favor of growing the brand of his LIV team, 4Aces, reports ESPN. He took his LIV Series earnings to over $35million last season after leading his all-American team to a team championship win.
Adidas has also not renewed its sponsorship deal with another big name on the Saudi-backed tour in Sergio Garcia.
‘We’ve mutually agreed to part ways with long-time Adidas athlete, Dustin Johnson,’ Adidas Golf president Jeff Lienhart said in a statement.
LIV Golf’s US star Dustin Johnson and Adidas have ended their long-standing partnership
Adidas has also not renewed its sponsorship deal with Sergio Garcia, who also left PGA Tour
‘For more than 15 years, Dustin has been a great ambassador for the Adidas brand.
‘We’ve had a front-row seat to see him win multiple major championships, ascend to the No. 1 ranking and cement himself as one of the best golfers in history — all while wearing the 3-Stripes. We wish Dustin nothing but success moving forward.’
A two-time major winner, Johnson has dropped to No. 54 in the world rankings, which is not yet giving ranking points for LIV Golf events but is reviewing the Saudi-funded league’s application.
Garcia was also sponsored by Adidas for a number of years. Adidas confirmed to news outlets that it did not renew its contract with the 2017 Masters champion.
But Adidas did not drop all its LIV members. Joaquin Niemann of Chile, who moved from the PGA Tour to LIV in August, remains with the company.
Johnson was an ambassador for Royal Bank of Canada, but they terminated the partnership in June after he defected to LIV.
Critics say the upstart PGA Tour rival is an effort by Saudi Arabia to ‘sportswash’ its poor human rights record.
LIV’s second season starts Friday with LIV Golf Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Johnson led his all-American team to a team championship win at the end of LIV’s first season