McIlroy Settles with Former Agents Before Trial Starts


Instead of being involved in a protracted and potentially nasty public court battle, Rory McIlroy reached an out-of-court settlement with former agents Horizon Sports Management.

A joint statement read: "The legal dispute between Rory McIlroy and Horizon Sports Management has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties, who wish each other well in the future. The parties will be making no further comment."

McIlroy, who could have spent up to six days in the witness box during the trial that began Tuesday in Dublin, was not in court to hear the announcement of the settlement, which happened as soon as the case convened. He left Belfast late that evening and flew to his home in Florida.

McIlroy sued Horizon in October 2013, claiming the management agreement he signed with the Dublin-based firm after leaving International Sports Management in October 2011 called for unfair and inflated commissions.

Horizon countersued, demanding payments still owed under the terms of the contract - extended in March 2013 and broken by McIlroy in September 2013 - for endorsement deals with Nike and other companies.

Although terms of the agreement were not revealed, the BBC indicated that McIlroy agreed to pay Horizon at least $20 million, with some reports calling it $25 million.

The No. 1-ranked player in golf and the 2014 Player of the Year on both the PGA and European tours won the Dubai Desert Classic last weekend. The 25-year-old Northern Irishman will tee it up next at the PGA Tour's Honda Classic in Florida later this month.