Bubba's contract with PING ends this year

[Llortamaisey]

[quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.[/quote]

Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.

[somaplr]

[quote name='rbhan12' timestamp='1397453028' post='9085775']
I'm pretty sure there's an interview where he says he grew up playing ping, loves ping, etc., wouldn't leave them unless someone gave him "stupid money".

Ping pays bubba's charity, aka no tax. Ping writes it off as tax deductible and charities are tax exempt. Money stays untouched.
[/quote]

If you're refering to Ping giving to Bubba's charity as compensation for Bubba that goes untaxed - that's not what's happening. It's highly illegal.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='somaplr' timestamp='1397490988' post='9087957']
[quote name='rbhan12' timestamp='1397453028' post='9085775']
I'm pretty sure there's an interview where he says he grew up playing ping, loves ping, etc., wouldn't leave them unless someone gave him "stupid money".

Ping pays bubba's charity, aka no tax. Ping writes it off as tax deductible and charities are tax exempt. Money stays untouched.
[/quote]

If you're refering to Ping giving to Bubba's charity as compensation for Bubba that goes untaxed - that's not what's happening. It's highly illegal.
[/quote]

I was going to respond to this as well but was wondering if anyone then knew what percentage of the funds to charity actually went to the cause. Nothing irritates me more than 'charities' where only 10% goes to the cause and the other 90% is doled out to 'admin expenses'.

[somaplr]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1397491877' post='9088059']
[quote name='somaplr' timestamp='1397490988' post='9087957']
[quote name='rbhan12' timestamp='1397453028' post='9085775']
I'm pretty sure there's an interview where he says he grew up playing ping, loves ping, etc., wouldn't leave them unless someone gave him "stupid money".

Ping pays bubba's charity, aka no tax. Ping writes it off as tax deductible and charities are tax exempt. Money stays untouched.
[/quote]

If you're refering to Ping giving to Bubba's charity as compensation for Bubba that goes untaxed - that's not what's happening. It's highly illegal.
[/quote]

I was going to respond to this as well but was wondering if anyone then knew what percentage of the funds to charity actually went to the cause. Nothing irritates me more than 'charities' where only 10% goes to the cause and the other 90% is doled out to 'admin expenses'.
[/quote]

He just started the Bubba Watson Foundation this year with his wife, although he's done a lot of charity work and his wife has a basketball scholarship thru UGA.

CharityNavigator.org is a good website to look up different charities as they are required to file to keep their 501©3 status and all the info is public (form 990 is their "expense" reporting).

Most athletes have their own charities these days, this is not new. They are not allowed to receive direct compensation for their involvement, but can, let's say if Bubba needs to take a jet to Texas to visit for a charity endeavor, that's coming out of the chairty and not Bubba's pocket (all athletes do this, btw).

[Fade to Black]

Bubba wouldn't handle the limelight that a big money contract and new club deal would bring all that well. He doesn't like all the media attention and scrutiny.

[R Hagan]

[quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397489951' post='9087835'][quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.[/quote]

Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.[/quote]

Who is now with Taylormade

[joey2aces]

hold on to that Ping gear, SouthyA, don't throw it into the abyss just yet.....

[Llortamaisey]

[quote name='R Hagan' timestamp='1397495436' post='9088531'][quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397489951' post='9087835'][quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.[/quote]

Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.[/quote]

Who is now with Taylormade[/quote]

Did he leave for more money or did Nike cut him because he couldn't carry his weight?

[rockinar]

He's not going anywhere. Club contracts don't pay much so no point in changing. It's the big name clothing contracts that pay. And he already jumped ship from Travis Matthew to Oakley.

[Goldenhawk]

I can see Callaway offering the big $$$$. I don't see Nike or TMAG unless Bubba cuts ties with Oakley.

[poppyhillsguy]

For those wondering, Matt Rollins Senior Director of Player Development from Ping said on Backspin The Golf Show Saturday morning that Bubba was in his final year.

[csiachos]

[quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']
Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.
[/quote]Dumb statement. Jamie Lovemark is a phenomenal athlete and can dunk a basketball barefooted just out of bed. He just can't make a putt! Bubba wins majors, and is 7 yards longer this year than the next longest hitter. I'm sure he'd fit in just fine with Nike.

[jnradioactive]

I don't think he will move either, but can you imagine the head shaking, muttering and glaring at his caddy that would go on as he tried to get used to new clubs/balls... might be fun to watch...

[Jacoby]

While I would like him to stay loyal to Ping, I could see him leaving to Nike for big $$.

[Yepyukon]

With Callaway losing Els, they now have a spot open for a larger contracted player (I know they signed Lydia Ko and Harris English but I am not sure how much they are paying them). I think Ernie was getting ~$14m from Callaway according to the GD endorsement breakdown from 2012 (he was ranked #6 on the list) while Bubba was ranked #18 at $3.5m total off-course.

While I don't see Bubba leaving PING, if he does I would guess that Callaway would be his next club sponsor.

[poppyhillsguy]

I don't see Bubba leaving PING either, but if he did, I definitely could see him going to Callaway.

[jmplautz]

[quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']
Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.
[/quote]

I think this is about right. Being forced into a companies latest and greatest every year doesn't seem to be him.

I'm not sure how many of the companies would be willing to make a pink driver for him. Nike and TM seem to want conformity.

[R Hagan]

[quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397495722' post='9088563'][quote name='R Hagan' timestamp='1397495436' post='9088531'][quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397489951' post='9087835'][quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.[/quote]

Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.[/quote]

Who is now with Taylormade[/quote]

Did he leave for more money or did Nike cut him because he couldn't carry his weight?[/quote]

Good question. Not really sure.

Can anyone name a big time player that has left ping after having a good year where they won a major?

[Holy Moses]

[quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397448823' post='9085485']
Hard to see Bubba leaving. Ping always shells out the big money for big players. They always keep multiple major winners on their roster. Plus, Bubba isn't the kind of guy to leave a company sponsorship, especially because of money. Just ask Chris Rosaasen.
[/quote]

I think Bubba stays, but will get far less money than he could on the open market. I thought Ping was known for being cheap?

Bubba just signed with Oakley recently. He can't go to Nike because he would have to wear Nike clothing. But Nike has has bought out an Oakley pro before (Rory).

[Binary]

[quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397489951' post='9087835']
Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.
[/quote]

I wish I could like this more than once.

[super20dan]

the nike swoosh swoon will get him if he goes there. just like rory ,nick watny david duval etc

[jons1]

[quote name='super20dan' timestamp='1397529008' post='9093229']
the nike swoosh swoon will get him if he goes there. just like rory ,nick watny david duval etc
[/quote]

What's more shocking... what has happened to most of the players that have jumped to their camp, or the fact that Tiger made that move and still destroyed everyone?

[Ricky Ross]

[quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']
Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.
[/quote]


I could see Cobra going after him too with his buddy Ricky being on staff.

[Golfingfanatic]

I could see him going to callaway. I mean they already have a lefty with rather special equipment wishes.

[Matt97GT]

[quote name='Llortamaisey' timestamp='1397489951' post='9087835']
[quote name='Matt97GT' timestamp='1397488240' post='9087639']Nike is aiming for a staff of "athletes"....i don't see Bubba fitting in that mold.

He's a non-traditional guy who does his own thing. I think he stays with PING, but I could see Cobra going after him.[/quote]

Carl Pettersson is a finely tuned Nike Athlete.
[/quote]

who is not with Nike anymore.

[quote name='csiachos' timestamp='1397504618' post='9089851']
Dumb statement. Jamie Lovemark is a phenomenal athlete and can dunk a basketball barefooted just out of bed. He just can't make a putt! Bubba wins majors, and is 7 yards longer this year than the next longest hitter. I'm sure he'd fit in just fine with Nike.
[/quote]

how is it a "dumb statement"? Nike Golf [b]stresses[/b] and uses the term "athlete" for the people they sign.

they've made a marketing move in the last couple years to focus on a staff of athletes as opposed to "golfers" to carry the Nike brand.

[billeht]

[quote name='Tybb79' timestamp='1397448811' post='9085479']
Nike can buy him!
[/quote]

Pink Nike Covert Driver anyone?

[jons1]

[lumberman2462]

He'll probably be on Ping's Board of Directors by the fall....early spring at the latest.

[kellygreen]

[quote name='poppyhillsguy' timestamp='1397447082' post='9085331']
Bubba is in the final year of his contract with PING and now has another major championship.

Do you think Bubba will stay with PING and renew his contract or chase the money at the end of the year and look elsewhere? What company would be a good fit?
[/quote]

Not going anywhere.

He's notorious for being a feel-player and hating to change equipment.

[tocino]

I think he stays Ping. The only company I can see that could potentially lure him away with big money is Nike