JT dropped by Ralph Lauren

[iBanesto]

I reckon Thomas with Uniqlo will be a perfect match.

[app10]

I'm surprised that folks are surprised.   

Ralph Lauren has been supporting the LGBTQ+ community since before Justin Thomas was born.  They literally have launched lines of clothing around this support.  They were recently named the best place to work for LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign.  This was a very sound decision by RL and completely on brand for them.  

[Golfingfanatic]

Think about where some of their stuff is made in Asia and what their take on homosexuality is...

 

[phizzy30]

8 hours ago, 976-Evil said:

 

This isn't them saying they don't forgive him, they even say they're willing to partner with him again.

 

Language changes over time. Words that were once socially acceptable change as well. This is one of those words and has nothing to do with being "politically correct" or "pc strikes again". If you can't see that, well then, you're part of the problem.

Exactly.  RL did say they were willing to sign JT again if he's willing to put in the work and time to rectify his mistake.  We're all guilty of doing or saying not so flattering things that we later regret.  I'm all about second chances.  I don't condone saying homophobic slurs and hope JT puts in the work to better himself. 

[Holy Moses]

4 hours ago, JRS1939 said:

This is the problem with America.  Instead of standing behind the man that recognized he made a tremendous mistake and helping him grow even more with support, you just dump him.   Makes what Nike did for Tiger during the bottom look even better.

Was Nike trying to help Tiger grow as a person or just trying to grow their bottom line? 

[One Putter]

Actions have consequences. These are things we teach our kids. JT will be better for it. And honestly, cursing yourself by calling yourself a homophobic slur is lame anyway. It just sounds lame. There are a lot of ways to curse at yourself that, even if picked up by a hot mic, won't get you in any hot water, and that most people would probably relate to and laugh at. Hearing a grown man call himself that word is cringeworthy imo.

Edited January 16, 2021 by One Putter

[Craig loftus]

10 hours ago, DrivingChamp said:

https://corporate.ralphlauren.com/pr_210115_JustinThomasStatement.html

This why if I had ever been good enough to play at this level i would have bought my own clubs and balls so I could play the best equipment hat suited my game without having to go through all stuff the PR contracted players have to do.

Same with clothing , buy your own, look and feel better and you dont open yourself up to the nonsense that RL are now spouting and you can say what you genuinely feel.

[Geoff_Dickson]

What would happen if JT continued to wear RL clothing? 

[chip75]

Am I living in Bizarro World or didn't this happen (the slur after a missed putt) happen a few years ago as well? I distinctly remember a player leaving a putt short and shouting out. I'm getting serious Deja Vu and I don't mean the Denzel Washington picture in 4K ...

[soregongolfer]

8 hours ago, bladehunter said:

Nicely veiled.  I think every region has flaws we could highlight.  But why ?  What do we gain by doing that ? It’s not as if flawless is an attainable goal. 

There is nothing veiled about it.  Some members have said it's a word they used as kids and it was okay.  Not where I live.  The first three letters were okay when we were in junior high, but not that word.  

[tiderider]

10 hours ago, TheMoneyShot said:

Titleist next...

?? ... completely different audiences ... never a doubt that rl would & should drop him ... titleist doesn't market to the same audience ... 

[Ghost of Snead]

6 hours ago, capking said:

I’d be shocked if anyone posting in this thread owns a RL polo

 

I did until I read this thread but I'm a hoarder. 

[geakins]

I wonder if UA will be in the mix?

[Greg_B]

A great opportunity for Ashworth to make a comeback with their oversized 100% cotton jersey knit shirts made famous by Fred Couples in the '90s. It's all about retro after all. 😆

[freeze16172002]

everyone and business is so scared of the internet bullies. 

Edited January 16, 2021 by freeze16172002

[tiderider]

i doubt anyone would consider it this year ... doubt JT's gonna try to pick up anything this year ... he's sponsored by several others, but Beat by Dr Dre and citi are the main ones that will probably drop ... the others are a private jet co, woodford reserves (over-rated bourbon, so wouldn't be that big a loss) and fj ... 

[tiderider]

16 minutes ago, freeze16172002 said:

everyone and business is so scared of the internet bullies. 

maybe they're concerned capitalists who want to minimize profit loss ... 

[jordan2240]

I buy all of my golf clothing off of clearance racks or at outlets, so couldn't care less who sponsors whom.  Not at all surprised by this though.  Perhaps RL could have made a statement that they are deeply concerned but are giving JT another chance based on his apology, but that likely wouldn't have gained them more business than they would lose by keeping him.  I played with a guy who uttered the 'n-word' once after he missed a putt.  I told him it wasn't appropriate.  I'm sure that wouldn't have played well on the tour.  Not sure the 'f-word' carries quite the same stigma, but stick to the generic curse words people.

[Bye]

From a quick search, it seems like the aforementioned clothing company has not always managed to get things right.

 

He made a mistake, then did the right thing. They could have said that they wanted to work with JT to help him learn and improve from this. I would have had more respect for that.

 

I really enjoy listening to the interviews of guys like JT, Rory and Jordan, its been really refreshing, and so much better than what came before.

 

I hope he has a great year, and wins a major.

[kylesilk]

If I were JT I would fire back at RL, hypocrisy in action.  If they want to part ways with JT that's fine, but I'm sick of this you need to be a better person bullcrap.  Quit cowering to this loud minority.

[tekman]

Did he direct the slur at anyone other than himself?  No.  Did he berate anyone or do some drunken online rant?  No.  Was he contrite and give a heart felt apology?  Yes.  Do I think he learned from this ?  Yes.  Who's in the wrong here?  Ralph Lauren.  It's a good thing I don't support them. 

[Soloman1]

Was he wearing "Tour Issue" shirts?

Were they the same plastic-feeling ones made in 3rd-world countries that cost about $1 to make and sell for $89?

Should we move this to the equipment section?

 

[Triple Putt]

I doubt he will partner with them again, regardless of their corporate statement. 

[MtlJeff]

Our world is a funny place. On the one hand i have no problem with Ralph Lauren dropping him, a sponsorship is not guaranteed money, he isn't owed that. Companies sponsor you if you think they fit their brand. Clearly using that word doesn't fit RL's marketing as has been stated multiple times in this thread

 

However, anyone can take 2 seconds of research to type in "Where does Ralph Lauren make their clothes" followed by "What is country X's views on LGBT-Q communities"

 

Maybe i should say our world seems like often a fake place. I think we value the token appearance of caring more than actual caring. 

 

Or Ralph Lauren and it's employees, care about things to the extent that it doesn't affect their business even a small amount. And everyone makes this unwritten agreement that companies will throw us a few bones (like sacking JT) and we'll look the other way on how they are completely full of it. I'm not even really complaining. Companies making money is good for their employees and good for all of us. So i just shake my head at all of this

 

 

[bigeasy]

4 hours ago, Holy Moses said:

Was Nike trying to help Tiger grow as a person or just trying to grow their bottom line? 

Grow their bottom line

[puttfordoux]

8 hours ago, capking said:

I’d be shocked if anyone posting in this thread owns a RL polo

I own some fake polo-logoed shirts...makes me feel much better now (lol)!

[CDU]

It just shows a form of prejudice on his part. The apology is an after thought. 

[bladehunter]

1 hour ago, soregongolfer said:

There is nothing veiled about it.  Some members have said it's a word they used as kids and it was okay.  Not where I live.  The first three letters were okay when we were in junior high, but not that word.  

Right.  My point was your area has some pretty obvious flaws too.  Why make it a regional argument ? 
 

I heard the word growing up quite a bit.  The whole word.  As the short version is also a cigarette. But it truly didn’t mean what it originally meant.  Was a synonym for “ idiot “ or “ I hate you “.  Type thing.  Not excusing it. I’m just saying that slang language morphs quite often.  And that word hasn’t referenced  a minority group in reality since the 70s.  It’s been brah speak for dumbarse for a long long time now. Why ? Who knows. Do I use it ?  Nope. I try hard not to speak to people in public , the risk reward has tipped way past worth it.  The fragility of our society is at critical mass.  

[BallerNate]

9 hours ago, Krt22 said:

It really has nothing to do with sensitivity and everything to do with dollars and cents given how easily customers can be won or lost in this day and age.  The marketplace for high end goods is extremely saturated, so many consumers shop with much more than just their wallet. How its made, where its made, the ideals of the company, can all influence consumer trends now. Some folks will quickly boycott a brand that they don't think aligns with their lifestyle or values. With that being said, anything remotely associated with hate speech towards any given marginalized community can mean an immediate revenue hit, which is why these decisions are made swiftly. RL probably won't regret this at all, they likely stood to lose much more revenue from non-golfers than what JT brought in through his endorsements.

 

The whataboutisms aren't valid in this case, given "bigger" is very subjective and when they were made is extremely relevant. With the massive reach of modern social media, what is deemed acceptable rapidly evolves. If you want to use your likeness to generate revenue in this space, you better evolve just as fast, because in certain cases there is no room for error. When you see people lose their endorsements for similar offenses (ie Scott Piercy), you need to better yourself to the point you don't make the same mistake in the first place. 

Everything you wrote is very valid and I can't argue with any of it. I think RL is probably more tied in to the LGBTQ community than a more athletics specific brand, and I believe a different brand that is more Golf/Sports-specific would have stuck with him and issued a joint apology, but I understand why RL did what they did. I just think JT was sincere in his apology and it was his first offense, so I don't believe his marketability took too bad of a long-term hit, and I'm sure more Golf-specific athletic companies will be blowing up his agent's phone in a few weeks (if they aren't already).

[BlackDiamondPar5]

1 hour ago, freeze16172002 said:

everyone and business is so scared of the internet bullies. 

In this particular case was there an explosion on social media demanding that RL dump JT?