Tiger Woods and Nike Part Ways After 27-Year Partnership
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Nike and Tiger Woods have collectively decided to terminate their 27-year advertising contract.
Mark Steinberg, Woods’s agent from Excel Sports, confirmed to AP on the 8th (local time) that the contract with Nike, which began after Woods turned pro and had already won four times and made a groundbreaking record of winning the Masters in just eight months, has ended.
Steinberg told the AP his readiness to embark on a new chapter, describing his previous experiences as an “Amazing run. Great partnership.”
Woods also reflected on his social media X post on the day, saying, “Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” and “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”
After expressing gratitude to the Nike officials, Woods said, “People will ask if there is another chapter,” and said, “Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!”
In a statement on Instagram, Nike extolled Woods, acknowledging his exceptional contribution to the sport. The company remarked, “It was a hell of a round, Tiger,” and lauded Woods for challenging competition, prejudice, convention, and outdated ways of thinking. Further, Nike recognized Woods’ influence on the entire golf world, the company itself, and most importantly, on Woods’ own standards. The statement concluded with gratitude, thanking Woods for these challenges.
Nike emphasized that Woods is “one of the greatest players the world has ever seen” and “Throughout the course of our partnership, we have witnessed, along with the rest of the world, how Tiger not only redefined the sport of golf but broke barriers for all of sport.”
After achieving three unprecedented consecutive U.S. Amateur victories, Woods turned pro in 1996 and signed a contract with Nike for $40 million for five years.
Nike stood by Woods even when many major companies terminated sponsorship contracts with Woods due to an extramarital affair scandal in 2009. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Woods continued to wear Nike goods on the course even after Nike withdrew from the golf equipment business in 2016 and he found a new golf club.
Woods, who turned 48 late last year, is tied with Sam Snead with a total of 82 victories, including the second most major championships with 15 wins, following Jack Nicklaus (18 wins). However, it is uncertain whether he will be able to wear the green jacket’ again due to five spinal surgeries in recent years, rehabilitating a ruptured left knee, and a traffic accident in 2021.
By. Man Joo Ha
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