Tiger Woods, Nike end a partnership that began in 1996
As for Woods’s future, he wrote: “People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!”
Woods may have been referring to the Genesis Invitational tournament at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles in mid-February. He annually hosts the event, which benefits his foundation.
Woods, now 48, initially signed a five-year, $40 million contract with Knight’s company, starting a relationship that spanned his 15 major championships.
“For over 27 years, we have had the honor to partner with Tiger Woods, one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen,” Nike said in a statement to The Washington Post. “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. We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking and inspire generations of people around the globe. We are grateful to have been a part of it. We wish him the best in the future.”
There had been rumblings that the partnership would end with the arrival of the new year, particularly with Jason Day switching from Nike to Malbon Golf, but Woods declined to address questions last month at the PNC Championship. When asked by reporters, he simply repeated each time, “I’m still wearing their product.”
On Instagram on Monday, Nike shared an image of Woods in his iconic Sunday red, writing, “It was a hell of a round, Tiger.” It added: “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’s most recent deal with the company came in 2013, when he signed a 10-year agreement covering his own line of apparel and footwear. He switched to FootJoy shoes after suffering a serious injury to his right foot in a 2021 car crash, but Nike promised to “work with him to meet his new needs” as he tried to resume his playing career.
His relationship with Nike went through other changes over the years. When Nike closed its golf equipment operation in 2016, Woods signed with TaylorMade (clubs) and Bridgestone (balls).
Woods did not indicate what his next “chapter” would be, but a spokesperson for On told The Post, “We’re not currently planning to partner with Tiger Woods.”
Rick Maese contributed to this report.
