According to ESPN, Dustin Johnson’s relationship with Adidas has ended after fifteen years.
A statement from Adidas Golf president Jeff Lienhart to ESPN read:
“We’ve mutually agreed to part ways with long-time Adidas athlete, Dustin Johnson. For more than 15 years, Dustin has been a great ambassador for the Adidas brand. We’ve had a front-row seat to see him win multiple major championships, ascend to the No. 1 ranking and cement himself as one of the best golfers in history — all while wearing the 3-Stripes. We wish Dustin nothing but success moving forward.”
The two-time major winner is currently the captain of LIV Golf’s Four Aces, who were the team champion in the inaugural LIV Golf season. Part of his role as a captain going forward will be to help grow the Four Aces brand, which seemed to have factored into the mutual decision between Adidas and Johnson to part ways.
“As good as the relationship with Adidas has been, it just didn’t fit in his plans,” a source told ESPN. “A major part of starting a team is establishing a brand identity and building that brand. The primary asset is the shirt.”
The future plan for LIV is to sell logo space on golfers’ shirts, “similar to what NASCAR and Formula 1 do on their cars and the Premier League does with its kits.”
“They want the entire shirt,” the source said. “DJ needed a clean break to start his team. He’s grateful to Adidas for letting him out of the deal.”
Johnson also released a statement:
“Adidas Golf is more than a sponsor,” Johnson said in a statement released by the company in September 2016. “They’ve been with me since the start of my career; we’ve collaborated, created and celebrated together. I’m grateful for the support Adidas Golf has given me and look forward to seeing what we can do together moving forward.”
“DJ” will continue to wear Adidas golf shoes without compensation.
Additionally, Adidas chose to not renew their deal with fellow LIV Golfer Sergio Garcia, who’s the captain of Fireballs GC.
Adidas still has LIV Golfer Joaquin Niemann, who’s the captain of Torque GC, as a sponsor athlete.
Article originally appeared on: Golfwrx.com