Golf Sponsor Drops Player Over Admiration For Cruz & Beck
Mike Opelka of the online publication The Blaze reports on Virginia-based businessman Brian McMahon dropping his sponsorship of aspiring golf pro Jeff Cochran.
The issue came down to a golf bag bible verse and the professional's professed admiration for Glenn Beck and Ted Cruz.
In late October, Cochran, his agent David Reynolds and NGC’s Brian McMahon both claim they were at a dinner and the conversation turned to Cruz. Cochran says he praised Cruz and his father, Raphael, mentioning that he had seen the elder Cruz on an episode of “The Glenn Beck Program.”
Cochran told TheBlaze that his sponsor was taken aback by this statement and was also troubled by the fact that his business associate was a fan of Beck. Following his pro-Cruz statement, Cochran said McMahon asked him, ”Would you be willing to give up our support to stand with that wackjob (Beck)?” Cochran answered “yes” and said the dinner continued without any additional tension or drama.
But the next morning, Cochran’s agent said, he received an email from NGC announcing that it was pulling all financial and product support from Cochran.
The email, a copy of which was provided to TheBlaze, demanded immediate return of all equipment and that Cochran stop using their logo as well. The initial email from McMahon to Cochran’s agent was quite specific as to the reason for the split (emphasis added):
David, I have never had an issue with you or really Jeff for that matter, but this situation is very disturbing. I have been tolerant of his religious views and even supported his off course speaking. However, I just can’t allow my company to be associated with these radical political views. The idea that Jeff would line up with the likes of Glenn Beck or Ted Cruz or any other individual interested in destroying America, just isn’t something I can swallow.
Pressed by The Blaze, McMahon was firm in his convictions.
Responding to McMahon’s email, we tried to correct some of his misconceptions (Beck doesn’t have or represent a “political party”), learn more about his organization (Nebraska Golf Card), and further understand the reason, or reasons, he terminated Conchran’s sponsorship. He did reply to our email. According to him, Nebraska Golf Card “is run by me alone.” He addressed a question about the ability to terminate someone for religious and political reasons by stating, “Jeff was not an employee but rather a private contractor.”
McMahon ended his email by saying, ”the only people who will care what happened to Jeff are the same religous (sic) zealots. Finally, my character might not be what you like, but I think for myself.”
Geoff
**Cochran will need his faith if this is him, as the story says a Jeff Cochran is going to jail for two years. Thanks to reader Dennis for catching this story on his Monday sentencing after pleading guilty to theft of jewelry.
Prosecutors say Cochran would steal expensive jewelry, including Rolex watches, from people at out-of-state golf courses before bringing the merchandise to Las Vegas and selling it.
Authorities say Cochran's thefts happened between September 2010 and March 2012.
The case was investigated by the FBI.
Cochran has been ordered to report to prison on Feb. 25.
**A search of photos of Jeff Cochran's playing golf would suggest they are about 8 years apart and not the same person.
Geoff
**Ryan Ballengee is on the case and now nothing is simple in this story. Including whether or not the entire thing is a hoax that The Blaze fell for.
Reader Comments (99)
While some of the political views expressed in this thread cause me to gnash my teeth and despair for our future (a statement probably true for everyone here), it is remarkable that it has gone on this long without triggering Godwin's Law.
I'm basically leaving that page running and hitting F5 every 5min awaiting Ryan's latest update(s).
Happy Turkey Day ya'll
(Tips4Expats: watching a season of Breaking Bad can be a suitable replacement for football)
It is also why I don't waste any time watchng any news on any channel, with the exception of important breaking situations.
But enough about that.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone of all political and religious views, now I must see the giant Spiderman balloon about to weave a pile on Del's corner. :)
I find it interesting that you say the economy should be driven by the private sector. America's best economic years were driven by government spending. Since the 50's, govt spending has been about 30% of GDP. Driven by military spending. Nobody complained about that, because its govt spending conservatives believe in. But if govt spending increases for things like healthcare or anything that actually improves people's lives, that's "liberal" and "bad".
Govt spending is an essential part of many successful economies and I always find it funny when American conservatives repeat that private sector spending is so much better. That's not what they really believe, they just want govt spending to increase in areas they traditionally believe in. Conservatives love Reagan, but he hugely increased govt spending as a percentage of GDP. But it was for the military, so that's okay.
As a non American who once lived there many of us find the left/right debates in US politics remarkably funny and often uninformed.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Anyone seen the Jeff Cochran in that video actually play?
...the only thing remotely challenging a Tiger thread for aggregate posts.
...decided that was a better contraction ;)
OWGR, that one is an animal unto itself!!
...spelling error, my bad ;)
or different guys?
An All out fraud??
What the heck was it?