LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods said on Jan 8 that he was ending his longstanding partnership with Nike, drawing a line under a lucrative near three-decade relationship with the iconic sporting goods brand that helped transform him into golf’s first billionaire.
In a statement, the 15-time Major champion, now 48, thanked Nike for the company’s support since signing with the brand as a young phenom in 1996.
That year, he inked a five-year, US$40 million (S$53.2 million) deal. Another five-year, US$100 million contract followed in 2001, and his next pact was worth up to US$320 million over eight years. He signed his most recent deal with Nike, worth US$200 million over 10 years, in 2013.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods said.
“The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories. If I started naming them, I could go on forever.
“(Former Nike chief) Phil Knight’s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I want to personally thank him, along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.”
Woods did not give details on any new sponsor, but hinted at being able to reveal “another chapter” at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles in February.
“People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA,” he wrote.
He was reported to be in talks with Swiss athletic shoe maker On Holding, but a spokeswoman for the brand said: “We are aware of the rumours but we don’t currently have any plans to be a partner with Tiger Woods.”
Woods’ son, Charlie, in December sported an outfit from Greyson Clothiers, the brand worn by Justin Thomas. The younger Woods does not appear on the company’s list of ambassadors, and Greyson did not respond to requests for comment.
Woods and Nike became synonymous over the course of the American’s career, from the moment he announced his professional debut in 1996 with an acclaimed Nike ad campaign where he declared simply: “Hello World.”
Initially, the partnership was limited to clothing, but the sporting goods giant later went into the manufacture of balls and clubs, in part driven by Woods’ success in broadening golf’s global appeal.
Nike on Jan 8 saluted Woods for his achievements, with an Instagram post headlined: “It was a hell of a round, Tiger” above a photo of the player wearing his signature Sunday red Nike shirt.
“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,” Nike said.
“You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that we’re grateful.”
In a separate statement, Nike said Woods also “broke barriers for all of sport”.
“We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking and inspire generations of people around the globe,” it added. “We are grateful to have been a part of it. We wish him the best in the future.”
Nike remained a steadfast supporter of Woods throughout, most notably in 2009 when his career was upended by the sex scandal that shattered his clean-cut image.
Woods in turn repaid that loyalty even after Nike moved away from the golf equipment business in 2016, continuing to wear the brand’s clothing.
However, signs that the partnership was drawing to a close began to emerge following his horrific 2021 car crash that left him with serious injuries and almost led to an amputation of his right leg.
Woods has worn Footjoy shoes since the accident, stating that they offered greater stability for his ankle, fuelling speculation about the status of his Nike deal.
Speaking at the PNC Championship in December, he was coy when asked whether his most recent 10-year contract with Nike – which expired in 2023 – would be renewed
“I”m still wearing their product,” Woods said at the time.
AFP, BLOOMBERG
