Puma makes a move

Acushnet Company who own golf brands Titleist and Footjoy have agreed to the sale of its Cobra brand to German sports firm Puma.
Regulatory approval is still required, but sports company Puma is expected to complete its purchase in the second quarter of the year, with the deal consisting of the Cobra brand, alongside related inventory, intellectual property and endorsement contracts.

Professionals contracted to Cobra, including Ian Poulter and Camilo Villegas, will continue to receive their typical service and guidance during the transition period.

Wally Uihlein, chairman and chief executive of Acushnet Company, said: “With the sale of Cobra, we have the opportunity to devote all of our resources to the global growth of our industry-leading Titleist and FootJoy brands.

“At the same time, Cobra is a strong brand with a heritage of innovation and we wish the quality associates guiding the brand future success. Golfers and our valued partners will remain the key focus throughout the impending sale.”

Both Poulter and Villegas have enjoyed strong starts to 2010 with the former gaining a maiden PGA Tour win in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Colombian landing the Honda Classic.Both players have a reputation for their golf style and recent form means they have a high profiles on both sides of the Atlantic. 
Puma will want them wearing Puma and playing Cobra but its not sure how they can secure their signatures as both are tied into clothing contracts.Villegas is the face of J.Lindeberg golf who are seen as the brand leaders in golf fashion and together recentley signed a 3 year contract extention.Poulter wears his own fashion label IJP design which he has a great passion for and his brand is starting to gain momentum.