Golf legend Tiger Woods announced on Monday that he is concluding his longstanding partnership with Nike, bringing to a close a nearly three-decade association with the iconic sporting goods brand that played a pivotal role in transforming him into golf’s first billionaire.
In a Twitter statement, the 15-time Major champion expressed gratitude to Nike for their support since the inception of the partnership in 1996, a deal that reportedly earned Woods $500 million over the next 27 years.
“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 CEO) 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.”
Although Woods did not provide details on a new sponsor, he hinted at revealing “another chapter” at next month’s Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
“People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA! Tiger,” Woods wrote.
Woods and Nike became synonymous over the course of the 48-year-old 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 limited to clothing, Woods’ partnership with Nike later expanded into the manufacture of balls and clubs, partly driven by his success in broadening golf’s global appeal.
Nike saluted Woods for his achievements in a Monday Instagram post, with the headline: “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 in the post. “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge, we’re grateful.”
In a separate statement, Nike acknowledged that Woods, the son of an African-American father and Thai mother, “broke barriers for all of sport.”
“We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire generations of people around the globe,” Nike said. “We are grateful to have been a part of it. We wish him the best in the future.”
Despite other sponsors distancing themselves in 2009 during a sex scandal that tarnished his image, Nike stood by Woods, who continued to wear the brand’s clothing even after Nike exited the golf equipment business in 2016.
Signs of the partnership’s conclusion emerged after Woods’ severe 2021 car crash in California, which left him with serious injuries. Since the accident, Woods has been wearing Footjoy shoes, fueling speculation about the status of his Nike deal.
Speaking last month at the PNC Championship, Woods was coy when questioned about the renewal of his most recent 10-year contract with Nike, which expired in 2023.
Reported by AFP
