Tiger Woods has parted ways with Nike, announcing the official end to his long-standing relationship with the sports and apparel brand, which has spanned nearly three decades. The golfing megastar shared the news on social media today, January 9th.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” the X post reads.
“The days have since been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”
Woods hinted at future brand collaborations in the pipeline, though it remains unclear with whom Woods is referring. He expressed “There will certainly be another chapter.”
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 8, 2024
As reported in The Australia Financial Review, Woods initially inked a five-year, US$40 million contract with Nike back in 1996. It was a deal that saw multiple renewals as Woods emerged as an unbridled force in the game, unmatched by any other player of his generation.
Evolving into one of the most lucrative endorsement agreements in sports history, his final arrangement, a 10-year pact in 2013, was reported to be worth US$200 million.
Tiger Woods was the centre of a notorious, shock cheating scandal which made headlines in 2009. Since, he has been slowly recovering his career, but never quite regained his untouchable stardom of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Throughout this period, Nike has unwaveringly endorsed Woods.
In his announcement, Woods thanked former CEO of Nike, Phil Knight, for his “passion and vision” that drove their joint Nike and Nike Golf partnerships, and further extended his gratitude to the Nike employees and the “incredible athletes” he worked with during the branding tenure.
See also: Fast Company Innovation Festival: Nike, NBA, Netflix, Dwayne Wade, Halle Berry, e.l.f.
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Top Image: Tiger Woods, Kultida Woods & Phil Knight