Playoff Shipping Wars: "It certainly caused some consternation"

When GolfChannel.com's Rex Hoggard broke the news earlier this week, I think we just figured the details would suggest merely an optics play. But the FedExCup rule declaring players who endorse competing shipping companies ineligible could have greater ramifications. Oh sure, maybe it just scares a few players away from being endorsed by UPS and on we go with a brown-free Playoffs(C).

But after reading Bob Harig's ESPN.com follow-up chat with agents about the ramifications over some sort a shipping-company endorsement provision, the details will be very important. When and if we get them.

The PGA Tour said it would not comment on that aspect of the contract prior to briefing the players fully on the matter.

"It's certainly less than ideal,'' said agent Mark Steinberg, whose Excel Sports agency represents several players. "It was clearly a part of the negotiation that the tour went through, and it was one of the last stumbling blocks. PGA Tour sponsorship deal may bar players endorsing FedEx rivals from competing in playoffs.

Harig's story includes Chubby Chandler making the Mercedes-BMW analogy, and you can bet many companies will take this precedent and attempt demands in future negotiations.

More interesting will be the ramifications should Amazon want to endorse players while also moving into competing businesses.

Also fascinating will be the perception of the FedExCup as a sports competition should the provision actually rule a competitor ineligible from participating. Could that further damage how the sports world sees the FedExCup?