Tiger Woods and Nike have finally separated after a 27 year partnership that began in 1996. Woods is an American professional golfer widely regarded as one of the greatest to step foot on the course. He shared most of his professional career in partnership with Nike, in which they changed the game of golf. Now, after 27 years the partnership will see its end. Woods initially signed the endorsement deal in 1996 with Nike for $40 million, and subsequently signed new deals in 2001, 2006, and 2013.
Nike and Woods both released statements on the matter on Jan. 15, 2024 on their respective social medias.
Woods wrote on Instagram, “Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world, 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!”
Nike soon followed with their statement saying, “Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, and the old-school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us.” Nike also released a post with an iconic picture of Woods on the 18th green after winning the Masters in 2019 saying, “It was a hell of a round, Tiger.”
Since his illustrious career began in 1996, Woods would go on to stay in partnership with Nike. Nike would be there for nearly every victory and nearly every memorable moment of Woods’. His first major win in 1997, the Masters, which he won by a record-breaking 12 strokes, he was wearing the Nike swoosh.
For nearly all 15 of his major wins, like the US Open and PGA Championships, he would remain in partnership with Nike. While in partnership with Nike, Woods brought attention to the budding development of the Nike Golf division. Woods’ and Nikes’ partnership aided in the successful launch of Nike golf balls, apparel, and clubs. That was until Nike halted their golf division development in 2016, due to poor sales and loss of revenue over a 20 year period.
The partnership between Nike and Woods changed the game of golf forever. When he entered the golf arena in 1996, Woods brought a new level of athleticism and skill never seen before in the game. Together, Nike and Woods would leave an unforgettable mark on the game of golf.
EHS golfer, Ryan Sharp (25) said, “Tiger is probably the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time) in modern golf, and that’s why he was able to acquire the Nike partnership, but I believe his body isn’t like it used to be and he is coming close to retirement, so I believe he dropped the Nike sponsorship to follow Greg Norman, where after retirement he expanded his name in branding.”
Woods suffered a roll-over accident in 2021, where according to the reports, Woods was traveling near 75 miles per hour in a 45 speed limit zone. He suffered multiple leg fractures and his future was unclear. Against the odds, Woods returned to golf and his partnership with Nike. Now after ending the partnership with Nike, it’s unclear what Woods will do next.
Sharp added, “With Tiger’s name being big, I believe he wants to expand his name and logo after retirement, and if that’s true[the ending of the partnership] it’s a good idea for Tiger.”
Whatever happens in the future, Woods’ impact on the game and the Nike organization will be remembered. Another EHS golfer, Dayne Schmidke (26), said, “It’s different because he was the face of Nike golf and there will have to be another big golfer to partner with Nike to create the partnership like Woods did.”
No matter what, the partnership between Tiger and Nike will go down in history, and whatever’s next for Woods, it is no doubt the golf world will be watching.
