What's a caddie worth?

[Severtheties]

Caddies File $50 Million Class-Action Lawsuit Against PGA Tour

MARCH 11, 2015 5:02 AM ET

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More than 100 caddies filed legal action against the Professional Golfers Association for $50 million in advertising revenue. Renee Montagne talks to Rex Hoggard, a senior writer at the Golf Channel.

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RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: 

There is a rebellion of sorts underway on top golf courses around the country. Caddies who work for professional golfers have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Professional Golfers Association, or, that is, the PGA Tour. To find out more, we called Rex Hoggard. He is a senior writer with the Golf Channel. Good morning.

REX HOGGARD: Good morning. How are you?

MONTAGNE: Fine, thank you. So why don't we begin at the beginning. I mean, what are the big issues driving this lawsuit?

HOGGARD: It's a situation where caddies at each tournament are required to wear a bib. On that bib is the name of the title's sponsor for that week. And the caddies receive no compensation for that. The lawyers for the caddies have estimated that's worth upwards of $50 million a year. And about a year and half ago, the caddies formed an association - not a union - and they tried to negotiate with the Tour because what they're trying to create here is a retirement fund, better health insurance benefits - that type of thing. They didn't get very far. They were told right out of the gates that the bibs were a nonstarter - that the Tour wasn't going to negotiate about that. And it led to this lawsuit which was filed in San Francisco at the beginning of February.

MONTAGNE: So there's endorsement money at stake, or at least, there might be. But what else is going on here? I gather some of it has to do with working conditions and even a sense of pride on the part of the caddies?

HOGGARD: Sure, I think there's a perception that caddies were what you saw in the old movies - that, you know, they were kind of drifters, that they showed up late. And they were unshaven. And that's really not the case anymore. And I think that's why they created this association. And I think you touched on one of the very important themes from the start - was working conditions. And it sort of came to a head two weeks ago at the Honda Classic. There was a rainstorm. And there was a few caddies who got caught in a tent. And it was sort of a dangerous situation. And it got on social media and it sort of took up a buzz.

And basically, what the regulation says is caddies are not allowed inside the clubhouse without proper credentials. And it's sort of a catch-22. The caddie credentials, which are issued by the Tour, don't have clubhouse access to them. And now that's become, you know, another rallying cry. And I think basically, what the caddies are trying to do here is just improve their working conditions, improve their future and also point out that they are professional caddies. This isn't the guy that you saw in the movie "Caddyshack" - that these guys work very, very hard. And they're a very important part of a PGA Tour player's team.

MONTAGNE: What do they offer these professional golfers? And we're talking all the way up to Tiger Woods - that level.

HOGGARD: Oh they're - it's amazing if you ask a caddie that question. They're a sports psychologist. They're a best friend. They're someone who, you know, is there to sort of take the blame, to sort of take the pressure off the player. I mean, you pointed out Tiger Woods. His caddie, Steve Williams, who just signed on to this lawsuit, by the way - I mean, he was a big part of Tiger Woods' success. I think Tiger has said that repeatedly. If you look at any other team sport, it's no different than having an assistant coach on the field with you or something along those lines.

MONTAGNE: And is this tradition that the caddies are not allowed into the clubhouse? That is one thing that surprised me - that they generally are not part of the team when it comes to walking inside the nicest place.

HOGGARD: It's true. And it's a very complicated situation with what happened at the Honda Classic. And I think it was an eye-opening experience just not for the caddies and the public, but also for the PGA Tour. I think what's going to happen here is now that there's a level of interest, that's one of those things that starts to sort of peel away. The problem is, is it's a little bit separate issue from what's the lawsuit that's going on. And it's become contentious. It's going to take some time. I mean, and the PGA Tour's reluctant right now to work with caddies at all. They just canceled their annual meeting, which was supposed to be held this week in Tampa because of the lawsuit. They don't want to talk with the caddies about anything until this particular lawsuit is settled one way or the other.

MONTAGNE: Rex Hoggard is a senior writer with the Golf Channel. Thanks very much for joining us.

HOGGARD: Thank you.

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​So the caddies are trying to organize some things for better benefits and better access it sounds like to me. Non of which seems outlandish at all. Is the PGA's only probably with this is that it would take a small chunk of change of their overall revenue? What is everyones take on this?

[BIG STU]

I agree with you 110% on the PGA Tour not wanting to let go of more money. For the Tour it is all about money. If a person is good enough to be part of a team on the PGA Tour they should be compensated accordingly and not just by their employer. The Tour is making money off of them wearing the bibs with the endorsement so I think the Tour should give them their fair share. And the deal at that tournament where they would not let the caddies inside during torrential downpours in a thunder storm just plain sucks. I for one hope that the caddies get every last penny they are suing for plus legal expenses!!

[PlaidJacket]

I think the caddies have a claim. They are professionals. I don't quality to be a pro caddy any more than I am a pro golfer. I'd like to also hear from the Pro's. I mean have you heard anything from the pros? Have you ever heard a Pro refuse to go in the club house because his caddy wasn't allowed? Did any Pros stand in solidarity under the metal roof with their caddy at the Honda? This whole issue could end tomorrow if a few pros spoke up for their caddy. Think about.

[Severtheties]

The clubhouse thing was the most surprising to me. I've been to both the Memorial Tournament here in columbus as well as the WGC event up in Akron multiple times and i've always had clubhouse access (I know a couple people) with little to no effort meaning after talking to my contacts I don't have to specifically ask for that sort of access or anything. 

 

As far as money goes - will they get all of the $50 million - probably not but I think they have a strong case.

 

I'm surprised that some of the players haven't stood up about this issue yet. I'd imagine they have to be careful and calculated with their responses though as to not throw a wrench into their own sponsorships and such. Who knows...

[hckymeyer]

Completely agree with the way they are treated.  I look at the Player/Caddie relationship as more like a team than a boss/employee relationship.  I know it's still that, but you don't let one player of the team use a separate locker room than the other players on the team.  Not to mention basic safety of standing in a metal shed in a lightning storm.

 

On the money side of things I have mixed feelings.  Somehow I don't feel like they should necessarily get a cut from the tournament sponsor just for wearing a bib.  To mean that is part of a uniform.  NHL players don't get a cut from Reebok because they make their jersey's and put their logo on it.  I'm not sure I agree that they should get Honda money from wearing the Honda bib.  To me it's part of the uniform and should be exempt.

 

The solution for me would be to allow caddie's to get sponsors on their own.  Either through the player they are bagging for, or on their own.  Get a shoe deal, or a sunglasses deal.  Caddies for top players get almost as much TV time as their players do.  Sure Rory's caddie isn't going to get a $250 mil deal, but he might be worth something to be decked out in Nike and supporting the brand of his player.

 

Go ask someone who isn't a golf nut who Bones or Fluff are though and I guarantee you get a blank stare.  I just don't think sponsors are going to be fighting to give the caddies money.

[BIG STU]

I can remember when Vavoline (motor oil company) paid Stevie Williams to wear their big V logo on his shirts. That is one of the reasons he took his bib off early especially when Tiger won and the Tour fined him a few times for that

[Severtheties]

I think it'd be cool if some of the players maybe shared some of the money they got for their bag advertising....considering the caddie is the one actually carrying the thing.

[Kenny B]

I'm curious why it's a requirement that the caddies wear the bibs. My guess is that it's all for television. If that's the case, then I think they have a case.

[fozcycle]

I'm curious why it's a requirement that the caddies wear the bibs. My guess is that it's all for television. If that's the case, then I think they have a case.

 

I do believe the Bibbs with the Players names on them are primarily for Television.

[Kenny B]

I do believe the Bibbs with the Players names on them are primarily for Television.

 

If it's to identify the player, maybe the player should wear their name on the back of their shirt like other professional sports.

 

I think most caddies would like to get rid of the bibs, unless they get money for wearing it!!

[RoverRick]

I think they should be paid to wear the bids that advertise the sponsors. As far as them wearing the name of the golfer so that TV is aware of the who the golfer is, poppycock. Every golfing group has a volunteer with sign that has the golfers name and their scores.

 

Oddly enough, I do not believe these boards have the sponsors on them.

[Kenny B]

Take the bibs off the caddies; put the sponsors name on the boards.  If they don't want to do that and make the caddies wear the bibs with the sponsor's name, then pay them!

[Severtheties]

I think another thing that bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that the PGA is basically just ignoring them like they don't exist. At least sit down and have some talks. I think that if they sat down and heard them out and just give in a little it would have cost MUCH less than what this may end up costing them in the end. I don't understand the mentality of these large companies and organizations. They'd rather say no and throw a ton of money at it rather than taking some time to understand why they're upset and try and come to a compromise. A lot of times it ends up costing them MUCH more and in the end people are just pissed off. Makes you wonder what kind of wages they could pay "the little people" if they took a different approach at certain things.