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Considering we have even more golf today, this story is more appropriate then ever.As strange as this sounds, Phil Mickelson's father is actually making himself wealthier as a result of Tiger Woods. How so?
Well, Phil Mickelson Sr. owns the Sportscope, which is a hand-held periscope that extends up to provide golf fans with unobstructed views when crowds get too big to see anything. And obviously when Woods, Mickelson and Adam Scott all got paired together for the first two rounds these things were selling like hotcakes.
Obviously Lefty draws quite a huge crowd when he's playing, but more often than not, the time you'll need a Sportscope is when Tiger is playing.
Darren Rovell of Sports Biz spoke with Mickelson Sr. about how this all came about.
"I bought the patent and trademark in 1997. The guy who owned it was 78 years old and hadn't done anything with it for three and a half years. He had medical problems and had all this inventory in storage. And he told me that he'd make a really good business deal with me if I promised to sell as much of them as I could. That was an easy promise to keep."It's impressive that Tiger's such a walking gold mine he even makes his opponent's father wealthier.
By the way, Lefty was never allowed to endorse this product by his Dad. Mickelson Sr.
He wanted to do some endorsement when we got started, but I didn't let him. The one thing that bothers me is when I hear people say, 'A Mickelson makes that? Like they need the money. It's not about the money. It's about a way to give back to the game of golf that has been so good to us.Exactly. Which is why they give them away for free. And by free I mean they sell the standard version for $65 and the zoom lens for $80.
It's all right Phil Sr. Just admit that Tiger's making you richer. And also thank him for forcing this playoff so you have an extra day of sales.
Phil Mickelson and the Sportscope: Best way to "see" the Open [Sports Biz]
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