Oakley to challenge McIlroy deal
Last updated: 10th January 2013
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US sunglasses maker Oakley will try to retain its sponsorship deal with world number one Rory McIlroy.
According to New York reports, McIlroy is expected to finalise his new 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike in Abu Dhabi, next Monday.
The deal will include the supply of McIlroy's golf clubs and branding on all of his clothing.
However, Oakley - which has decided to launch legal action - is confident that it has grounds to challenge the move to Nike.
"Oakley's contract with Rory has a right of first refusal that permits us to retain Rory as an Oakley endorser by matching any offer he receives covering our products," the company said in a statement this week.
"These types of provisions are common in the industry. Oakley values Rory and will do all it can to retain him," read the statement.
Meanwhile Dubai-based hotel company the Jumeirah Group confirmed on Tuesday that its five-year sponsorship deal with McIlroy had ended.
The announcement of Nike's new sponsorship deal with McIlroy is expected to be made at the Fairmont Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where McIlroy will play his first tournament of the year.
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