Scotty moving to Nike?

[dbleber]

Interesting topic on both forums:

http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/showt...660#post697660

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/...0#entry2808714

[quinner]

I am hoping if that does happen that not a lot changes with the business itself. I would think that the amount of business that he does already, he would be able to go out on his own if he wanted to.

[Break68]

I don't think it will happen.

[kilmidyke]

I also read something about this on a diffrent forum. If I remember correctly, the thread was a kind of "what if" thread with the main question being what if Fortune Brands decided to sell off some of their assets like Acushnet for example to some Chinese or Asian based giant. As we are all no doubt aware, Acushnet has arguably the 4 most popular brands in golf right now being Titleist, FootJoy, Vokey and of course Scotty Cameron. Acushnet owns ALL of the trademarks and trade names associated with these brands so if any or all of it was sold, my understanding is that whatever is associated with that name brand, ie; "Scotty Cameron", goes with the sale.
If there was a sale of say "Scotty Cameron" to Nike, then Nike would own the rights to everything, including things like the CT logo and pooping dog stamps etc. There is no certainty that Mr Cameron would actually ever be a part of that business or name brand again.

I would'nt be very surprised that if the Cameron brand was sold off, Mr Cameron would quite simply "retire" from the business.
I dont think that "Donald T Cameron Putters" has quite the same ring to it somehow.

If "Scotty" did decide to go out on his own again, then he cannot even put the name Scotty Cameron on any of his "new" product because the owner/buyer of the "Scotty Cameron" brand would have complete and total control over all the assets of that brand and would no doubt issue legal proceding against anyone using that trade name or trademark without permission.

I also read that really the most interesting development that would come from this is TMAG's desire to get their hands on FootJoy and the Titleist golf ball empire!......Adidas ProV1s anyone? lol

Of course this was all just hypothetical as I dont think it has been announced anywhere really that Fortune Brands is going to be selling off any of their assets any time soon. (Then again, I could be wrong!)

It would however be a HUGE deal for anyone acquiring the rights to any of these brands.

[spackler]

Acushnet may own the trademarks, but who knows what the separation agreement is in the event of a change in ownership. I would expect that Scotty takes his name and trademarks with him, I doubt he signed up for indentured servitude.

[atomic]

As previously mentioned, the golf balls and shoes make the most money for the owners. Putters do well, but don't butter their bread...so to speak.

Don't see this happening, but to quote Don T, "never say never"...

[kilmidyke]

Acushnet may own the trademarks, but who knows what the separation agreement is in the event of a change in ownership. I would expect that Scotty takes his name and trademarks with him, I doubt he signed up for indentured servitude.

Dave, Like you said, who knows what if anything the seperation agreement is likely to include if this situation ever arose. One would have to hope that somehow he has protected his "own brand" but having said that, why would Acushnet as the current owners of all the trademarks turn them over or sell back to Cameron again if there is a split? It doesnt make sense really, from Acushnets standpoint without the trademarks there is no "brand" to sell to any proposed buyer. If that is the case, Acushnet could not sell "Scotty Cameron" to Nike, as Mr Cameron would have pre-determined agreements in place which I would have to think would prevent any "sale" taking place. If the "partnership" was disolved between Acushnet and Cameron, I'm sure you are correct that he would have to have protected himself. However, if Acushnet was sold off as a single entity comprised of many sub-parts, then ALL of those trademarks and tradenames would have to go with the sale or what would be the point of anyone wanting to buy the business in the first place.

I dont see this happening any time soon, so it's all a moot point really. However i still stick by my point that if it ever did happen, Don T would quite happily retire and walk away even richer than he is now....and good on him if he did, I suspect we would all do the same.

Honestly, no stirrring of the pot intended with this and nothing against the Cameron brand, I wish i could make money like he does. The guy is a money making machine!

[spackler]

The flip side of the question is why would Cameron allow Acushnet to register the trademarks he develops if he relinquishes absolute control or ownership of them, especially his name? I just have a hard time believing that someone as accomplished and successful as he has been would be that naive to not protect himself against an eventual departure.

I could definitely be wrong, just some fun speculation.

[jvincent]

A question to all the Scotty fanatics, if he were to move to Nike but keep all the branding he currently has, would the Nike Scotties be more/less/equal value as the Titleist ones in your mind?

[Kilroy]

Would it make the existing Titleist putters more collectable/valuable?

[quinner]

If they were to keep the same branding, I am not sure if there would be any difference, however if they were to add the Nike Swoosh to it or something where the Titleist brand was, I would say the older sticks become more valuable. But that's JAT and my opinion.

[spackler]

His putters from the Mizuno era are not more valuable than the current Titleist putters, but neither did they drop very much either. The Classics, his putters from the CGI era when he was on his own after Mizuno but before Titleist are more valuable than the others, but they were made in much smaller quantities. It all probably stays relative.

[Break68]

MyGolfSpy.com is reporting that Scotty Cameron was seen today at The Oven, Nike’s R&D facility in Fort Worth, TX (aka Cowtown).

http://72strokes.com/2010/12/rumor-s...ike/#more-1112

-------------------------------------
This is crazy talk, totally crazy, if it's true.

[fireice]

Remember people always like to speculate. All MyGolfSpy reported was "Just heard Scotty was spotted at the Nike Oven (Your Thoughts?)"

He didn't give out his source when I asked. So I'm real skeptical.
I know a guy who runs NGNation.com a Nike Fan site and he says wait for the press release.

[goley]

Do you guys think that if Scotty does move to Nike it has anything to do with the fact that Tiger is now using a Nike putter?

[Break68]

Go over to golfwrx.com thread on this, they are on page 9 on this rumour and speculation. Insane.

[Break68]

From golf.com:
Fortune Brands to spin off or sell Acushnet

December 07, 2010
Fortune Brands to spin off or sell Acushnet

Fortune Brands' board of directors agreed in principle on Tuesday to break up the company and sell or spin off its golf business, Acushnet, which includes Titleist and FootJoy, according to several media outlets.







Read more: http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2010...#ixzz17Wd5nmyd

[btasse]

From Rick Young's Golf blog site......

"In terms of industry profile this is golf's version of the Wayne Gretzky trade. According to CEO Wally Uihlein Wednesday morning, Acushnet, makers of Titleist and FootJoy, will be sold or spun off by its Fortune Brands parent. Official word came down late Tuesday night out of Fairhaven, Mass. The press release verifies a report circulated back in October stemming from a Wall St. Journal story concerning activist shareholder William Ackerman whose hedge fund acquired a significant piece of the Fortune Brand empire. Ackerman since then has apparently tried to steer the company into a split off of its three major holdings including golf, spirits, and home and security. Sale and spin off, it should be noted here, are extremely different outcomes. While sale to new ownership is self explanatory a spin off of Acushnet would mean it effectively becomes its own independently operated business entity with everything business-wise remaining pretty much status quo. Fortune Brands shareholders would in return receive equity in this newly formed independent company. Going forward you can definitely see this as a potential outcome. More on that later. But if you're interested in making a bid the particulars are rather eye-catching. Annual sales of Acushnet-related product is about a $1.2 billion. Should you be the winning bidder you would receive the acquisition rights to Titleist, the #1 ball in golf, along with FootJoy, the #1 shoe and glove brands in the game (as well as a rising player in the outerwear, apparel and sock categories). The buyer would also acquire the golf club side of Titleist operations including Scotty Cameron putters and Bob Vokey wedges. Anchoring Titleist at the top end, of course, is the coveted Pro V1 franchise. Here's what Uihlein had to say in the press release. It's pretty much what you might expect given the pending circumstances. "Whether the Acushnet Company is sold to a new owner or becomes an independent publicly-traded company our focus will be to keep on doing what's made us the leader in our industry - the delivery in best-in-class products and service to our customers and golf consumers. We look forward to building on our track record of delivering performance and quality superior golf products to serious golfers worldwide." Okay, so if you or me can't make a bid, who can? Nike, Callaway, TaylorMade-adidas, Bridgestone and Sumitomo Tire have all apparently kicked at Acushnet's tires in the past. Of those brands Nike's name has come up the most often, including in an interview I did with Scotty Cameron at his San Marcos, California Putter Studio two years ago. The master putter craftsman dispelled rumours of any potential sale of his renown franchise after being seen at the 2008 Masters in the company of then Nike Golf president Bob Wood (Cindy Davis has since taken over that position). Problems would be on the horizon though for any major golf company seeking to acquire Acushnet. As was pointed out by Terry McAndrew of WebStreet Golf Report Tuesday night, antitrust issues await any of the companies above meaning a much longer and convoluted process requiring more capital, time and legal due diligence. That said you have to believe any potential buyer of Acushnet would likely emanate out of Asia, specifically China, given the current wealth of that country and its growing interest in golf. The Wall Street Journal cites private equity firms as being another possible avenue for new ownership. Uihlein gets the last word. "We have a strong history of rising to challenges and taking advantage of opportunities while fulfilling our commitment to our shareholders. With our industry leadership, strong and unique culture and our talented team we look forward to a successful transition to new ownership and building the bridge to the next chapter in Acushnet Company's accomplished history."

[nokids]

I am searching for a demotivational pic to describe how i feel about all of this.

please stand by.....

[nokids]

[atomic]

Fasten your seatbelts everyone. Big news is coming.

[Break68]

when???

[Big Johnny69]

Fasten your seatbelts everyone. Big news is coming.

Now, now, stop being a tease and throws us a bit of a sniff until the big announcement.

[fireice]

The word over at TheHackersParadise.com is that Under Armour will be purchasing Acushnet.
http://thehackersparadise.com/home/?p=11707

[Break68]

The thread over at golfwrx.com is on page 15 of speculation and rumour on this, oh lord stop the rumour mill. I guess they are just bored with winter and need something to talk about.
Under Amour, I doubt it will happen.