Golf legend Tiger Woods announced the end of his historic 27-year partnership with Nike in a statement on social media Monday afternoon.
Woods' parting ways with Nike end the most lucrative business deal between athlete and sponsor in history.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 8, 2024
Nike was the gold standard among sports apparel companies in the late '90s, thanks to its partnerships with Michael Jordan and other notable athletes. However, when Woods came on the scene, their golf department was lacking compared to their competitors. In the years since Woods started using the “Swoosh,” the popularity of Nike's Golf His brand has skyrocketed, making it a big cash cow for both Woods and Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
Tiger Woods and Nike co-founder Phil Knight attend the Tiger Woods Foundation 20th Anniversary Celebration at the New York Public Library on October 20, 2016 in New York City. (Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Woods' success on the golf course, winning 15 majors and wearing Nike apparel every time he hoisted a trophy or put on a jacket, has made the golf legend as much a Nike fan as Michael Jordan and LeBron James. It seemed like a pronoun.
But the change in Woods' fortunes also brought with it a change in his relationship with his biggest sponsor. In 2016, Nike stopped manufacturing golf equipment after Woods was sidelined with several serious injuries. As a result of setbacks on and off the golf course, Woods has only played 13 times in the past four years and has only three PGA wins in the past 10 years.
Woods' best playing days are behind him, but it would be a mistake to think he will leave the field for good. He still plans to compete, and he is reportedly preparing to launch a new clothing line soon.
