Granted, the contract particulars are as hazy as the air during a Civil War battle, but the smoke surrounding the Woods and Mickelson appearances has been hard to avoid. While the deals and dollar figures remain unconfirmed -- and it will likely stay that way -- multiple sources have repeatedly cited the same numbers: Woods is drawing $1.5 million and Mickelson is getting $1 million.
Sure, a strict pay-for-play arrangement has, and remains, against the rules on the U.S. tour. Which doesn't necessarily lessen the confusion, if not the eye-rolling. Cough, cough.
Whatever the details, and regardless of how much the high-profile pair will be expected to sing for their supper by participating in a corporate clinic, or appearing at a cocktail party, the practice of signing players to lucrative personal-services deals has widened the gulf between an increasingly stratified tournament product. One that's separated and sorted by the sponsor's wallet size.
No comments:
Post a Comment