Tiger Woods, Nike end partnership after more than 27 years
Tiger Woods is no longer a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between the swoosh and golf’s biggest star and raising questions about the future of both in the sport
Tiger Woods is no longer a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between the swoosh and golf's biggest star and raising questions about the future of both in the sport.
Woods in a social media post thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his “passion and vision” that brought Nike and the Nike Golf partnership with Woods together.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world," Woods wrote. “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”
Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, confirmed the end of the deal that began in 1996 when Woods turned pro and within eight month had already won four times and shattered records in a watershed Masters victory.
“It was time for the next chapter,” Steinberg told The Associated Press. “Amazing run. Great partnership.”
Nike also posted to social media, saying in a photo, «It was a hell of a round, Tiger.”
“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,» the Nike post was captioned. “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful.”
Woods signed a five-year deal worth $40 million when he turned pro in 1996 after his unprecedented third straight U.S. Amateur title. It was shocking money at the time to most in the industry except Nike, and his father.
“Chump change,” the late Earl Woods once said, and he was proven correct. Woods
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