Current:Home > Contact-usTiger Woods leaves 27-year relationship with Nike, thanks founder Phil Knight-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Tiger Woods leaves 27-year relationship with Nike, thanks founder Phil Knight
View Date:2024-12-25 00:52:35
In men's golf, over the last quarter-century, there has been one constant in the arms race in apparel and brand recognition: megastar Tiger Woods and his long-standing relationship with Nike.
That is all coming to an end.
On social media Monday morning, Woods announced the end of a 27-year relationship with Nike, thanking the company's founder Phil Knight and hinting to a potential future announcement in Los Angeles.
"Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world," Woods said Monday 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. People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!"
What did Nike say about Tiger Woods split?
Woods had been non-committal in mid-December about a possible split with the brand, answering "I’m still wearing their product" to a pair of questions posed at a news conference during the recent PNC Championship.
Nike confirmed the news with a post on its Instagram account: "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' split with Nike leaves a massive void in the market; he had been a brand ambassador for Nike since 1996, when he was 20 years old. Then, upon turning pro, Woods signed a five-year, $40 million contract with Nike after his standout run as an amateur.
At the time of the deal, Knight lauded Woods as a generational, game-changing athlete.
"The world has not seen anything like what he’s going to do for the sport," Knight said at the time. "It’s almost art. I wasn’t alive to see Claude Monet paint, but I am alive to see Tiger play, and that’s pretty great."
With Woods as the face of its golf line, Nike's growth exploded, becoming a leading global brand in golf apparel behind the popularity of Woods' spikeless shoes. Nike also designed a series of clubs that Woods used, though the company stopped manufacturing clubs and golf balls in 2016.
In recent seasons, Woods has played with TaylorMade clubs, Bridgestone golf balls and, for almost two years, he has worn FootJoy shoes while on the course. Despite that, Woods has continued to wear Nike clothing while playing.
Woods, 48, may return to competitive golf at the Genesis Invitational, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 15 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. He's the tournament host at the event and Woods had said he plans to play in one event each month.
Contributing: Adam Woodard and Adam Schupak, Golfweek
veryGood! (2114)
Related
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- China replaces defense minister, out of public view for 2 months, with little explanation
- Chris Pratt sparks debate over childhood trophies: 'How many do we gotta keep?'
- Six-week abortion ban will remain in Georgia for now, state Supreme Court determines
- Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Details to Meri Why She Can't Trust Ex Kody and His Sole Wife Robyn
- Mother of Travis King says family plans to 'fight charges hard'
- 'Bold and brazen' scammers pose as clergy, target immigrants in California, officials warn
- Her boy wandered from home and died. This mom wants you to know the perils of 'elopement.'
- Tony Todd, star of 'Candyman,' 'Final Destination,' dies at 69
- Powerball winning numbers from Oct. 23 drawing: Jackpot now at $100 million
Ranking
- Britney Spears reunites with son Jayden, 18, after kids moved in with dad Kevin Federline
- LA police commission says officers violated lethal force policy in struggle with man who later died
- Michigan State Board chair allegations represent 'serious breach of conduct,' Gov. Whitmer says
- Man killed himself after Georgia officers tried to question him about 4 jail escapees, sheriff says
- Deommodore Lenoir contract details: 49ers ink DB to $92 million extension
- NHL switches stance, overturns ban on players using rainbow-colored tape on sticks
- The Walking Dead's Erik Jensen Diagnosed With Stage 4 Colon Cancer
- Hurricane Otis makes landfall in Mexico as Category 5 storm
Recommendation
-
Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
-
RHOBH's Kyle Richards Pokes Fun at Cheating Rumors in Season 13 Taglines
-
North Dakota special session resolves budget mess in three days
-
Detroit man who threatened Michigan governor, secretary of state sentenced to 15 months probation
-
Tesla Cybertruck modifications upgrade EV to a sci-fi police vehicle
-
New report from PEN America documents vast book bannings in U.S. prisons
-
Senate panel OKs Lew to be ambassador to Israel, and a final confirmation vote could come next week
-
2 young children and their teen babysitter died in a fire at a Roswell home, fire officials said