Appearance Fees Under (More) Scrutiny

Steve Elling in the Orlando Sentinel (reg. required) has the best write-up yet on the appearance fee issue, with extensive comments from Arnold Palmer and a detailed breakdown of IMG's fee-scheme. Elling also notes that the Tour signed off on the Doral situation because they are trying to re-sign the automaker as a sponsor.

The IMG letter listed 18 players, claiming that if hired, "these professionals would look favorably upon staying for the tournament, which would enhance the strength of field." Appearance fees are forbidden by tour rules.

"They said that in the letter?" Palmer said Thursday. "Who wrote the letter? That's a surprise. That is unreal. That's terrible."

The IMG letter, posted this week on GolfWorld magazine's Web site, lists players in two price tiers, like items on a restaurant menu. The agency suggests hiring five players for Monday outings with corporate clientele: "IMG recommends securing two players from Tier One and three from Tier Two." That could cost a tournament up to $700,000, according to the price list.

Palmer's outrage is pretty funny considering that he helped create the IMG monster,, he's made millions in appearance fees, and his course design fee is nothing more than an appearance fee. But put that tournament host cap on, and no way is this right!