Tiger Woods and Nike officially split after 27 years
One of sport’s most famous player-brand relationships has come to an end as Tiger Woods revealed in a statement…
Tiger Woods has split with Nike ending a 27-year-long partnership.
Woods released a statement after speculation surrounded one of sport’s most famous player-brand relationships:
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” he wrote in a statement.
“The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them. I could go on forever.
“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.
He finished the segment with: “People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!”
Nike also posted an image of Woods on Instagram with a caption reading like so:
“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful.”
Woods appears set to tee it up at the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour in Los Angeles in February, a tournament of which he is the host.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 8, 2024
Tiger Woods-Nike: A match made in heaven
The 15-time major champion signed with Nike in 1996 for five years in a deal reportedly worth $40 million. It didn’t take long for him to win on the PGA Tour after at the Las Vegas Invitational.
His memorable ‘Hello World’ line was redefined in a Nike advert – the first of many television commercials Nike created with Woods that live long in the memory.
A year later, he won the Masters by 12 shots and in 2002, Woods put a Nike driver and a set of irons and wedges into play when the brand began manufacturing clubs.
From watching his Nike golf ball drop in the hole on the 16th at Augusta in 2005, to remarkably winning the Green Jacket in 2019 in his Sunday red, Woods’ career is synonymous with the company’s instantly recognisable Swoosh emblem.
At the 2022 Masters, golf fans were quick to spot Woods wearing FootJoy shoes as opposed to Nike shoes.
Rumours ramped up regarding the future of the Woods-Nike relationship in 2023, which he was asked about at the PNC Championship in December.
“I’m still wearing their product,” he said.
With Jason Day also parting ways and switching allegiance to Malbon Golf, TWLegion reported at the end of last year that Nike’s apparel could soon be run through Srixon/Cleveland.
NOW READ: Reliving Tiger Woods and Nike’s timeline
Does Nike still sponsor Tiger Woods? Well, now we have an answer! Tell us what you think on X/Twitter!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
