Caddie’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour finally over – Caddies lose!
Caddie’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour finally over – Caddies lose!
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As was reported last February (2015), the caddies sued the PGA Tour for part of the sponsor revenue relating to the bibs they wear, which sport the sponsor’s logo. The caddies felt quite strongly that the PGA Tour was taking advantage of them. In a recent court decision, the ruling was passed by Judge Chhabria. “Caddies have been required to wear the bibs for decades,” Chhabria said. “So caddies know, when they enter the profession, that wearing a bib during tournaments is part of the job.
Caddie Bibs are part of the Caddie’s Uniform.
In other words, the bib is the primary part of a caddie’s uniform. And the contracts the caddies signed with the Tour require them to wear the uniforms prescribed by the Tour. For that reason, there is no merit to the caddies’ contention that the contracts somehow prevent the Tour from requiring them to wear bibs.” End of story? Not so fast! The Lanier Law Firm of Houston, representing the caddies, is considering grounds for an appeal, attorney Rick Meadow told Golfweek. Any time frame is unknown. Without an appeal, the case is dead. Thanks, Alex Miceli, for this breaking story!
Paul Tesori, left, with his player Webb Simpson is among the caddies involved in a lawsuit with the PGA Tour. ( Associated Press )
Caddie lawsuit against the PGA Tour finally over – Caddies lose!
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The PGA Tour won a significant legal victory against professional caddies Tuesday as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought by the loopers last February.
Eighty-two caddies filed a class-action lawsuit against the PGA Tour.
Seeking compensation for the bagmen who, according to their attorneys, had to wear tournament sponsors’ logos without remuneration.
Though the plaintiffs’ group grew to 168 over time, District Court Judge Vince Chhabria said the caddies’ arguments had no merit. In a 15-page order, he dismissed the case with prejudice regarding each of the seven causes of action that the caddies brought.
“Caddies have beenwearing the bibs for decades,” Chhabria said. “So caddies know, when they enter the profession, that wearing a bib during tournaments is part of the job. In other words, the bib is the primary part of a caddie’s uniform. And the contracts the caddies signed with the Tour require them to wear the uniforms prescribed by the Tour. For that reason, there is no merit to the caddies’ contention that the contracts somehow prevent the Tour from requiring them to wear bibs.”
The Lanier Law Firm of Houston, which represents the caddies, is considering grounds for an appeal, attorney Rick Meadow told Golfweek. Any time frame is unknown.
Without an appeal, the case is dead.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, the New York firm that represents the Tour, would not comment when contacted by Golfweek.
In a statement, the PGA Tour said: “We are aware of the ruling made in our favor. We look forward to putting this matter behind us and moving forward in a positive direction with the caddies.”
It’s unclear how the caddies might proceed. The dismissal with prejudice precludes them from bringing the case again using any of the same causes of action. The plaintiffs could file for a motion for reconsideration or appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Chhabria did provide some solace for the caddies at the end of his order.
“The caddies’ overall complaint about poor treatment by the Tour has merit, but this federal lawsuit about bibs does not.”
Source: Alex Micili GolfWeek
Pictures: Associated Press Gary Denham
Thanks for reading – Caddie’s lawsuit against the PGA Tour finally over – Caddies lose!
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