Tiger Woods, Nike announce end of 27-year partnership،
Tiger Woods announced Monday that his longtime partnership with Nike has ended after 27 years, ending one of the most iconic brand relationships in professional sports history.
From the moment Woods turned professional in August 1996, he wore head-to-toe Nike swooshes. The partnership included 15 major championship victories, 82 PGA Tour victories and numerous comebacks from injuries and personal setbacks.
For more than a quarter century, Woods' traditional Sunday outfit of a red Nike shirt, black hat and black pants became synonymous with men's professional golf.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate enough to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods said in a statement posted to his X account. “The days that followed have been filled with so many incredible moments and memories, if I started to name them I could go on forever. Phil Knight's passion and vision helped create this partnership between Nike and Nike Golf and I would like to personally thank him , as well as the Nike employees and incredible athletes I've had the pleasure of working with along the way.”
In the release, Woods, 48, did not specify which clothing brands he plans to wear to future events. He has worn FootJoy golf shoes since returning to competition following injuries he suffered in a car accident outside Los Angeles in February 2021.
Woods appeared to indicate in his statement that he plans to play Genesis at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades (part of Los Angeles) from February 15-18, a tournament he organizes that benefits his foundation.
“People will ask if there’s another chapter,” Woods wrote. “Yes, there will definitely be another chapter. See you in Los Angeles!”
After Woods turned professional following a record-breaking playing career at Stanford, he signed endorsement deals with Nike and Titleist. The multi-year deal with Nike was worth $40 million, which at the time was the richest sponsorship deal in history for a professional athlete.
When Woods showed up at the 1996 Greater Milwaukee Open for his first PGA Tour event as a professional, he told reporters, “I guess, hello everyone, huh?” Two days later, Nike launched a “Hello, World” campaign, in which Woods and his father, Earl, appeared in television commercials. Nike created a line of golf clothing and shoes bearing Woods' name and logo.
Woods and Nike renewed his contract three times during his playing career. He signed a 10-year extension with the clothing giant in 2013, worth around $200 million, according to The Oregonian. He used Nike golf clubs and balls until the Oregon-based company closed its golf line in 2016. Since then, he has used TaylorMade clubs and Bridgestone balls.
“Tiger, you challenged your competitors, your stereotypes, your conventions, the old school way of thinking,” Nike said in a statement on Instagram. “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most importantly, yourself. And for that challenge, we are grateful.”
In December, Nike announced plans to cut costs by $2 billion over the next three years, which would include laying off hundreds of employees.
