Tiger Woods and Nike End 27-Year Partnership
It’s official, Tiger Woods and have parted ways. The rumours and speculation of Tiger leaving the Swoosh have been swirling for the past few months, but in an Instagram post both from Nike and Tiger, the two longtime partners are amicably moving on from one another.
‘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!’ states Tiger in an Instagram post.
Woods signed a $40 million deal over five years ago in 1996, signing multiple extensions with the Swoosh and most recently signing a 10-year deal for around $200 million in 2013. The writing has been on the wall for a while, as Tiger hasn’t worn Nike golf shoes in tournaments since returning from his near-fatal car accident in 2021. Rocking FootJoys on the course for the past two years, he’s stated they’re the only shoes he can walk 18 in due to the shoe’s stability since returning from a leg injury in the car accident mentioned earlier.
Woods has a close relationship with Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Knight even talked about his bond with Tiger in his memoir ‘Shoe Dog’. Woods was one of the first people Knight heard from when his son died from a scuba diving accident in 2004, and Woods gifted Knight a 1972 Rolex (the year Nike was founded) with ‘Thanks for taking a chance on me’ engraved on the back. Woods also has a building named after him at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, which has been used for showcasing presentations since 2001. Whether the building keeps its name is something to be on the lookout for.
What this new chapter for Tiger means is still unknown. Whether he signs with an established brand or starts his own label, we’ll be paying close attention, so keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker on any updates.