Tiger Woods has been with Nike for roughly the same period I’ve been on Earth.
My grandparents, and some of my colleagues, will tell me that’s not a long time.
But it is, and since 1996, Woods and Nike have become one of the most famous athlete-brand establishments in all of sports, along with NBA icon Michael Jordan.
On January 8, Woods and Nike both officially announced the split with social media posts that could bring a tear to your eye.
So, what have been the highlights of the flourishing Woods-Nike partnership, and which players have joined him along the way?
How has the story blossomed since Woods turned professional in 1996?
Tiger Woods Nike timeline
1996
Woods signed with Nike for the first time in 1996 for five years in a deal reportedly worth $40 million.
Just months after signing with the Swoosh, the young American won the Las Vegas Invitational and the Walt Disney World Golf Classic on the PGA Tour.
This coincided with the famous ‘Hello World’ television advert which has forever been remembered by golf fans.
These were the words Woods uttered in his first press conference.
1997
A 21-year-old Woods blew the field away at Augusta National in 1997 to win the Masters by 12 shots.
His winning shirt went on to be mass-produced, and suddenly Woods’ relationship with Nike was becoming a match made in heaven.
