Rory McIlroy courts fresh trouble

Feature by Anand Datla

December 11, 2014: Rory McIlroy must be spending more time reading tedious paper work these days than he is practicing his elegant swing. Deep into his court battle with Horizon Sports Management, the Northern Irishman is dealing with a fresh round of accusations that are threatening to derail his arguments and dampen his defense. Reports have emerged that a court hearing the case was informed that McIlroy had “deliberately” erased up to eight electronic devices, in an attempt to clean data related to the legal battle.

The court was also told that devices that belong to three other people, including his father Gerry McIlroy, had been given similar treatment with an intention to hold back information. Horizon was making a case for improved disclosure from the plaintiffs as they argued the issue.

In response, McIlroy produced a sworn affidavit late on Monday, stating that his team had already made significant disclosures. He asserted that the details shared were in compliance with an earlier court order.

The case has been gaining attention, with McIlroy claiming that the arrangements were under undue influence, even though he was already 22 years of age at the time. The golfer is suing Horizon and two other entities to get a representation agreement nullified on multiple grounds.
Horizon has returned the compliment, counter claiming nearly US$ 3 million from McIlroy for unpaid dues. The claims relate to McIlroy’s earnings away from the course.

Interestingly, McIlroy started working with Horizon in 2011 and signed the third and last agreement with them in March 2013. But things went downhill from there very rapidly. The golfer decided to split from the sports management company just months after signing the agreement in 2013.

In the coming weeks and months, McIlroy will need to spend considerable amounts of energy explaining why the repudiation of his agreement with Horizon is a justified measure. Under the circumstances, one must wonder how the young man will manage to practice and focus on the one big trophy missing from his cabinet – the Green Jacket.