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THE ONGOING LEGAL dispute between golfer Rory McIlroy and his former management company has been settled out of court.
The case had been due to start in the High Court this week, but intense negotiations had been ongoing to reach a solution.
The 25-year-old golfer did not appear in court this morning for the announcement.
Senior Council for Rory McIlroy told the court that “the entire matter has been resolved”.
A member of Horizon’s public relations team, Billy Murphy, released a statement on the settlement but gave no specific details about the resolution:
The legal dispute between Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties who wish each other well for the future.
He added that, “The parties will be making no further comment” but refused to say how much money was involved.
Both sides had spent almost 10 hours talking yesterday – with the case being delayed three times – in a bid to reach an end to the protracted dispute which has lasted 18 months.
The world’s number one golfer was pictured leaving the Four Courts just before 9pm last night.
McIlroy had been seeking to have his contract with Horizon voided, claiming it was misrepresented to him.
Horizon had launched a counter-claim against McIlroy, seeking additional damages for an alleged breach of contract.
The case had been expected to last up to eight weeks.
When the settlement was announced – Judge Brian Cregan wished both sides all the best in the future.
With reporting by Christine Bohan. Originally published 11.09am
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Well that’s the biggest let down since the last time I had carnal knowledge of the wife, her words not mine.
Happy for Rory that it’s sorted he comes across as a decent young lad
Who can pay people off to protect his image…….
Here’s 2 million euro, now piss off!!!
And that’s just what he said to his legal team
RTÉ are reporting 20 million …
I wasn’t wrong
Irish Times states it’s in excess of €25 million
uncanny how both parties ended up in the same outfits #awkward
wigs and gowns you could say …. Emer Caffrey
I’m glad it worked out ok for everybody without a big legal battle.
I’ve a friend who plays golf and he says Rory is a really nice young man
Judge Judy could have sorted this in no time …
I’d say it’s a lot more than €2million, he was going to lose this case so I’d say his payout was nearer to €10million
try 25 million
50 billion I heard
Sounds like maybe they got a bit too greedy with the golden goose and Rory was a bit naive also I expect – the same deal for an average pro golfer shouldn’t apply to a superstar e.g. 10% of 1m a year vs 10% of 50m a year – should have had some provisions.
The horizon lads look like some spivs in that photo…a good leech doesnt kill off the host lads, tut tut
When it gets to this financial level there is very little sport in sport.
Looking forward to the All Ireland this year.
Now that’s what I call sport.
Common sense wins or a couple of mil helps the situation
Was always going to be resolved in the rooms in the bowels of the law courts two big reputations to protect….
You have to think that either a lot of stubbornness (not clear from which side) or bad legal advice let this case get this far. It did always seem like it had to settle – the only people who benefit from that settlement happening so late in the day are the solicitors and barristers – but it seems often people have to actually be down in court before they start to get real.
You’re forgetting Nike.
Delighted for Conor Ridge. He mugged off McIlroy today. Justice.
Great little country in which to do business?
I’d say that’s the end of sports agencies in Ireland.
But the sport agency, Horizon, came out €25m to the good so I don’t get your point.
Yep if you want a deal with Nike
Horizon haven’t covered themselves in glory
Important in business to pitch your selling price for goods and services, in a transparent and timely fashion, at market norms for the sector.
A little advance discussions , negotiations, independent advices, and signed sales / purchaser orders are a must, especially when biggish sums and long-term relationships are at stake.
The outcome here was inevitable given the fact that key management agency staff had already jumped ship from service providers to client’s new entity.
A pyrrhic victory for the winner, nonetheless.
What’s Rory this week. Irish or British? Ya, boo.
Did the horizon managing director manage a counter claim on rorys shirt and tie as well?
your lordship … its about money money …and the leeches very wella
Harry!!!!!!!! :) welcome back you nutty squirrel. How’s your little scallywag ??
@ charles mcdonald …you hidden agenda is like your hidden profile page …. sick
Haha thataboy Harrold. Don’t ever change. Shine on you cazy diamond
great day for the lawyer snouts is right.They must love these suits
Will someone please think of the poor lawyers
Rte lead with this,and people living in poverty all over the country.shows how much things are messed up,really disappointed with rte
You better voice that to RTE and stop filling up a sports site which unrelated shite.
Pigs get to the trough. Sport my bottom greed and thuggery more like and was just the legal eagles.
I see nothing about the waste of taxpayer money a clogging up the courts when they could have reached a settlement anytime.
What taxpayer money? I’m sure you’re really worried about the courts being clogged.
Enjoy the loot Horizon lads! It is doubtful if you will get to sign a contract ever again. If you do your fool client will need to put the lawyers to work immediately!
A deals a deal Rory and he was a grown man when he signed the contract. Egos are dangerous things outside of the sports arena. I can’t see Shane Lowly ever getting into such a situation.
Jesus above lads. The begrudgery is strong here.
Heard he got 15 mill
Normally to break a solid contract it costs nearly all the blood you have but who knows in this case. Also why was this legal case under sports news when it was legal?
At least we will now be spared any more infantile jokes from john Murray on radio 1.
Clark Kent
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