Did Tiger Woods wear the Nike swoosh for the final time in a tournament Sunday at the PNC Championship in Orlando?
Woods was decked out in his traditional Sunday red and black as he played with son Charlie in the two-person scramble and had his daughter Sam on his bag. But there have been persistent rumors that his 27-year relationship with the footwear and apparel giant may be nearing an end as his current contract is set to expire at the end of 2023.
Woods has been a brand ambassador for Nike since 1996 when he was 20 years old. Nike Founder Phil Knight signed Woods to a five-year, $40 million deal when he turned pro following his third consecutive win at the U.S. Amateur, and said of Woods at the time, “The world has not seen anything like what he’s going to do for the sport. 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.” Tiger’s deal, which was inked in 2013, has grown to a reported 10 years at around $200 million.
Under Woods, Nike Golf apparel became the leading brand and its spikeless footwear grew in popularity but its equipment division never took off and it stopped producing clubs and balls in 2016.
Woods has been using TaylorMade clubs and Bridgestone golf balls in recent years. For nearly two years, he’s been wearing golf shoes made by Foot-Joy. TaylorMade, which formerly was owned by Adidas, has hinted on its website that it intends to step up its involvement in the apparel space starting next year. Several of its club endorsers – from Rory McIlroy to Scottie Scheffler – also wear Nike Golf clothing when they play.
On Saturday, Woods was asked to clarify his relationship with Nike and played coy.
“I’m still wearing their product,” he said.
A reporter pressed him for more: “Is this the end of it coming up?”
“I’m still wearing their product,” he said.
That was true this week but will it remain so in the future is still to be determined.
[lawrence-auto-related count=4 tag=2621]