McIlroy agrees settlement with Horizon Sport Managment

SO RORY McILROY can get back to doing what he does best - playing golf and winning titles.

It is believed that he has paid Horizon Sports Management, his former agents up to £20m in an out of court settlement in Dublin. The 25-year-old was in remarkably high spirits all things considered.

 

He will be delighted that he doesn't have to spend up to eight weeks in court but it has been a very costly experience for the world number one. McIlroy claimed that he was badly advised by Horizon, who represented him when he signed his $100m contract with Nike. He said that he had been naïve and had not been given access to proper legal advice - he signed a contract with Horizon that entitled them to between 15% and 20% of his sponsorship earnings.

For their part, Horizon said the contract was watertight and they were prepared to fight tooth and nail in court. They were counter-suing McIlroy for loss of earnings.

It has been widely reported that McIlroy had offered Horizon £10m before the trial began, but the agent rejected the offer. When the case began on Tuesday, a day of negotiations saw that offer increased to £12m before finally agreeing on £15m.

 

McIlroy earned more than £60m in 2014, but having to hand over £15m, and probably paying all the costs, is a serious blow. It is to be hoped that he can shrug this off and move on, and that the affair will not affect his form, which has been stupendous so far this year.

 

But I have one question. If there was a will to resolve this dispute (and there clearly was), why didn't both parties sort it out before coming to court?

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While Rory might be out of pocket he is not struggling for cash! Check out this article on his earnings in 2014 - Click Here