Tiger Woods has been the face of NIKE Golf for nearly three decades now, he became a cultural phenomenon as a NIKE sponsored athlete. Accoding to the ‘No Laying Up‘ podcast, the upcoming PNC Championship could be Tiger’s final tournament with the famous sportswear company. Back in 1996, Woods signed a contract with NIKE for five years and $40 million. After it expired, Tiger signed for another five years but this time he did it for a reported $100 million. In 2005, Woods signed a third contract for about $20 million per annum over the next five years. But the entire world of golf was surprised when Tiger showed up with a pair of FootJoy golf shoes at the 2023 Masters Tournament.
Why could Tiger Woods be on his way out of NIKE?
According to this podcast, the reason Tiger Woods could be on his way out of NIKE is because the company is probably going to shut down its golf division. Since 2016, the company stopped making golf equipment alltogether. In this podcast, it was also reported that other brand embassadors such as Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, and Scottie Scheffler might also leave the brand for good. It’s not only Tiger Woods but all those other stars as well. Ever since NIKE stopped making equipment, Tiger Woods has also used TaylorMade clubs and may be looking into other brands for apparel as well.
Should NIKE leave the golf division completely, they will end a 40-year run making golf apparel and equipment that started only a few years before Tiger Woods became one of their athletes. Throughout 27 years of partnership, Tiger Woods has reportedly made up to $500+ million just for being the face of the brand’s golf division. If this report is accurate, we are looking at the end of an era in sports partnerships. Just as we were starting to get a glimpse of a potential Tiger Woods return to the top, this happens.