For a man who’s conquered Augusta six times, lifted 18 major trophies, or designed more than 400 Golf courses, you’d think there’s little left that could intimidate Jack Nicklaus. But years in court trying to defend his name and hard-earned reputation do account for something. And once that  $50 million verdict came in his favor, one could have expected the ever-so-outspoken golf pro to say something about the big win. However, nothing came until now… nearly a week later. 

“I did this thing more for my family than for me,” Jack told The Palm Beach Post. “My legacy that I will have through the years will be very important to my family. I’m 85 years old…how long will I be around? I don’t know. It’s not about me. It’s about the future and family.

“My NIL (name, image, license) is very important to me, it’s very important to my family…Sometimes you got to stand up for it and go through what you have to go through. Life changes for all of us as we go along. I’ve been very blessed. Allowed me to win a few golf tournaments, make a name for myself. Protect that. It’s very important,” the GoldenBear said. 

Though he lives in North Palm Beach with his wife, Barbara, and is surrounded by five children, 24 grandchildren and a ninth great-grandchild on the way, the Nicklaus name is still a family affair on the design side. Jack Nicklaus II, often called Jackie, has long held senior roles at Nicklaus Companies (he was promoted to vice chairman in 2020 after decades running the design arm) and has served as president of Nicklaus Design.

But apart from that, “it’s a big load off (his) shoulders.”

Nicklaus’s lawsuit accused his former business partners of spreading damaging rumors, including claims that he was suffering from dementia, no longer capable of handling his affairs, and secretly negotiating a $750 million deal with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League. Nicklaus denied all of it, calling the claims a deliberate attempt to undermine his reputation and seize control of the brand built on his name.

October 20 marked the end of this bitter, three-year legal battle between Nicklaus and the company that bears his name. The jury found Nicklaus Companies had participated in publishing false statements that exposed the golf legend to “ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contempt.” However, the company’s top executives, billionaire banker Howard Milstein and Andrew O’Brien, were cleared of personal liability and are not required to pay damages.

But even though he was awarded the big sum, the 18-time major champion suggested that the legal journey might not be entirely over.

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Jack Nicklaus’s defamation battle is likely to continue

The 85-year-old said he expects the case to remain active for some time, acknowledging that the appeals process could prolong the battle.

“The proceedings, the judge, the jury were great,” Nicklaus said. “I’m happy with the outcome. Obviously, there’s going to be probably appeals and that stuff. This will continue to go on for a while.”

Earlier, Nicklaus’s attorney, Eugene Stearns, had echoed that sentiment, telling ESPN that defamation cases are rarely straightforward, especially when it comes to proving damage to someone of Nicklaus’s stature. “It’s always hard in a defamation case to prove damages to reputation, because, in particular, for a guy like Jack, it’s always such a good one,” Stearns said.

But whether there actually is a next chapter to this story or not, only time will tell.