Mastercard has paused its endorsement offers with LIV golf tour members Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, the corporate instructed ESPN.
Poulter has had a contract with the worldwide firm since 2009 and McDowell has had one since 2011, however due to their affiliation with the controversial tour and suspension from the PGA Tour, Mastercard has put these contracts on pause.
“We’ve paused the activation of our relationship with Ian and Graeme, recognizing the uncertainties round their standing with the PGA Tour,” stated Mastercard vp of communications Seth Eisen.
Mastercard didn’t touch upon the length of the pause, which was first reported by Sports activities Enterprise Journal, or if it will likely be a everlasting resolution, however the firm is the most recent to drag the plug on endorsement offers with gamers who’ve joined the Saudi-backed golf tour.
Rocket Mortgage lately introduced it was suspending its relationship with Bryson DeChambeau, RBC reduce ties with Dustin Johnson and McDowell, and Phil Mickelson misplaced sponsorships from WorkDay, KPMG and Amstel.
Some corporations have taken a tough stance on the tour, whereas others have had no remark or made no resolution on their sponsorships with present gamers. Michelob Extremely and Nike have maintained their contracts with LIV participant Brooks Koepka.
Poulter was additionally certainly one of three gamers to file a lawsuit to problem their suspension from the Genesis Scottish Open. The three golfers won the stay and Poulter performed in The Open, however missed the reduce.
