section_path: Personal life/Business endeavours
section_name: Business endeavours
paragraph_text: Business endeavours
  
  When turning professional in 2007, McIlroy signed with International Sports Management (ISM), an agency founded by former professional golfer Chubby Chandler. McIlroy left ISM in 2011, and stated he felt like he was being "led down the wrong path" by Chandler, who advised McIlroy to give up his PGA Tour card in 2010 and prioritise the European Tour. McIlroy then signed with Horizon Sports Management, following the lead of his friend Graeme McDowell who had left ISM to join Horizon. McIlroy split from Horizon in 2013. He had agreed a contract extension with the agency in March 2013, which was set to run until 2017. In October 2013, he described the contract as "unconscionable" and said he had been coaxed into signing it. He filed suit against Horizon, claiming they had prioritised their own financial interests to his detriment. Horizon countersued, alleging breach of contract and unpaid fees. A bitter legal battle followed, which ended with an out-of-court settlement in 2015. The Irish Times reported that McIlroy paid the firm in excess of $25 million plus costs to settle the dispute.
  
  After splitting from Horizon in 2013, McIlroy created a new management company, Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd. Initially headed by former Irish Life and Permanent executive Donal Casey as managing director alongside McIlroy's father Gerry as a director, it manages the royalty payments from McIlroy's various endorsements. The company is based in Dublin. In 2017, McIlroy ranked sixth in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, having earned $50 million, of which $34 million came from endorsements.
  
  In 2019, McIlroy founded Symphony Ventures, a venture capital firm, alongside his long-time agent Sean O'Flaherty. Headquartered in Dublin, it focuses on the healthcare, sports and technology sectors. McIlroy began wearing a Whoop band in 2019 and was among the investors in a $100-million Series E financing round for the company in 2020. He joined the investment group of the Alpine racing team of Formula One in 2023, and the ticket marketplace TickPick in 2024. McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in 2022, alongside Tiger Woods and former Golf Channel executive Mike McCarley. The company's first project was TGL, an indoor golf league which secured a broadcasting deal with ESPN. A funding round in 2024 valued TMRW Sports at $500 million. In 2025, McIlroy partnered with private equity firm TPG to form TPG Sports, an investment fund targeting the sports sector.
  
  When turning professional in 2007, McIlroy signed with International Sports Management (ISM), an agency founded by former professional golfer Chubby Chandler. McIlroy left ISM in 2011, and stated he felt like he was being "led down the wrong path" by Chandler, who advised McIlroy to give up his PGA Tour card in 2010 and prioritise the European Tour. McIlroy then signed with Horizon Sports Management, following the lead of his friend Graeme McDowell who had left ISM to join Horizon. McIlroy split from Horizon in 2013. He had agreed a contract extension with the agency in March 2013, which was set to run until 2017. In October 2013, he described the contract as "unconscionable" and said he had been coaxed into signing it. He filed suit against Horizon, claiming they had prioritised their own financial interests to his detriment. Horizon countersued, alleging breach of contract and unpaid fees. A bitter legal battle followed, which ended with an out-of-court settlement in 2015. The Irish Times reported that McIlroy paid the firm in excess of $25 million plus costs to settle the dispute.
  
  After splitting from Horizon in 2013, McIlroy created a new management company, Rory McIlroy Management Services Ltd. Initially headed by former Irish Life and Permanent executive Donal Casey as managing director alongside McIlroy's father Gerry as a director, it manages the royalty payments from McIlroy's various endorsements. The company is based in Dublin. In 2017, McIlroy ranked sixth in Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, having earned $50 million, of which $34 million came from endorsements.
  
  In 2019, McIlroy founded Symphony Ventures, a venture capital firm, alongside his long-time agent Sean O'Flaherty. Headquartered in Dublin, it focuses on the healthcare, sports and technology sectors. McIlroy began wearing a Whoop band in 2019 and was among the investors in a $100-million Series E financing round for the company in 2020. He joined the investment group of the Alpine racing team of Formula One in 2023, and the ticket marketplace TickPick in 2024. McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in 2022, alongside Tiger Woods and former Golf Channel executive Mike McCarley. The company's first project was TGL, an indoor golf league which secured a broadcasting deal with ESPN. A funding round in 2024 valued TMRW Sports at $500 million. In 2025, McIlroy partnered with private equity firm TPG to form TPG Sports, an investment fund targeting the sports sector.