A federal judge in California on Tuesday threw out a class-action lawsuit filed by professional caddies hoping for compensation from the PGA Tour because they wear bibs with sponsor logos that make them feel like walking billboards.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, a legal designation which typically prevents a suit from being refiled.
Chhabria rejected all seven claims made by the caddies, suggesting the caddies signed a contract with the PGA Tour which requires they wear the bibs, regardless of the logos on them. The judge said the caddies themselves acknowledged that the PGA Tour had required caddies to wear bibs for decades, making it a requisite part of the uniform for pro loopers. The caddies argued that the bibs, which typically have the logos of that week’s tournament title sponsor on them, made them into human billboards, for which they were not compensated. The caddies estimated the value of that advertising at $ 50 million per year.
The lawsuit represented 168 caddies, more than double the original 81 who signed onto the filing made last January in the same northern California federal court in which former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon successfully sued the NCAA over compensation for the marketing rights of collegiate athletes.
It’s unclear if lawyers for the caddies will file an appeal.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the PGA Tour said it was pleased by the court’s decision.
“We look forward to putting this matter behind us and moving forward in a positive direction with the caddies,” the statement said.
This is the latest chapter in the sometimes adversarial relationship between the caddies and the PGA Tour. Caddies allege they have been treated poorly, including limitations on where they can go during tournaments and what the caddies feel are inadequate facilities, particularly in the event of a weather delay.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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