Tiger Woods is now not a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between the swoosh and golf’s greatest star and elevating questions on the way forward for each within the sport.
Woods in a social media submit thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his “ardour and imaginative and prescient” that introduced Nike and the Nike Golf partnership with Woods collectively.
“Over 27 years in the past, I used to be lucky to begin a partnership with one of the crucial iconic manufacturers on this planet,” Woods wrote.
“The times since have been crammed with so many wonderful moments and recollections, if I began naming them, I may go on eternally.”
‘It was a hell of a spherical, Tiger’
Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports activities, confirmed the top of the deal that started in 1996 when Woods turned professional and inside eight months had already received 4 occasions and shattered information in a watershed Masters victory.
“It was time for the following chapter,” Steinberg instructed The Related Press. “Wonderful run. Nice partnership.”
Nike additionally posted to social media, saying in a photograph, “It was a hell of a spherical, Tiger.”
“Tiger, you challenged your competitors, stereotypes, conventions, the old fashioned mind-set,” the Nike submit was captioned.
“You challenged your entire establishment of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, your self. And for that problem we’re grateful.”
Woods signed a five-year deal value $40 million US when he turned professional in 1996 after his unprecedented third straight U.S. Novice title. It was stunning cash on the time to most within the business besides Nike, and his father. “Chump change,” the late Earl Woods as soon as stated, and he was confirmed right. Woods renewed the deal believed to be value over $100 million in 2000.
Indicators of a fractured relationship
As recognizable as any athlete on this planet, Woods grew to become the face of Nike Golf and had his personal “TW” model.
On the golf course, Woods set information because the youngest to win the Grand Slam at age 24, the one participant to carry all 4 main titles on the identical time and his 15-shot win on the U.S. Open, the most important margin for a serious in golf historical past.
However there have been indicators in recent times of a fractured relationship.
On this archival CBC story, golf professional Wayne Bygrave analyses the enduring shot.
Woods returned from his February 2021 automobile crash that shattered bones in his proper leg by carrying FootJoy footwear, saying it was a greater really feel contemplating his accidents.
Woods remained in them — Nike has a protracted historical past making footwear — even till the PNC Championship final month that he performed together with his son. When requested about his cope with Nike, Woods replied, “I am nonetheless carrying their product,” and sternly repeating the phrase when requested if this was the top of his deal.
Greater than only a face, Woods unwittingly delivered huge moments for Nike, none better than his 2005 Masters victory when he hit a pitch from beneath the sixteenth inexperienced that went up the slope after which rolled again towards the outlet. The ball held on the sting for a full second — the swoosh in full view — earlier than it dropped. It stays one of the crucial well-known moments in golf’s most-watched match.
‘Redefined the game of golf’
He additionally was filming a industrial one 12 months when between takes, Woods started bouncing the golf ball off his membership. That led to a spot the place he bounced the ball off the membership, between his legs, behind his again, earlier than hitting the ball in mid-air.
“All through the course of our partnership, we now have witnessed together with the remainder of the world, how Tiger not solely redefined the game of golf, however broke obstacles for all of sport,” Nike stated in an announcement. “We watched him set information, problem typical considering and encourage generations of individuals across the globe. We’re grateful to have been part of it. We want him one of the best sooner or later.”
Woods has received 15 majors, second solely to Jack Nicklaus (18), and his 82 profession PGA Tour victories are tied with Sam Snead. However he has been slowed in recent times by 5 again surgical procedures, shattered ligaments in his rebuilt left knee, the 2021 automobile crash and age. He turned 48 on the finish of final 12 months.
Nike stood by him when his private life imploded in 2009 over extramarital affairs, and when his schedule was lowered tremendously due to leg and again accidents. Woods remarkably returned from fusion surgical procedure to win the Masters in 2019, his fifth inexperienced jackets.
Nike additionally has proven indicators of slowing its golf enterprise. It determined to get out of the onerous items enterprise in 2016, sending Woods to play completely different golf equipment and a special golf ball. The corporate nonetheless has a secure of golfers carrying its attire — together with Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 participant who wears a “TW” model shoe — though former No. 1 Jason Day didn’t renew his deal this 12 months and switched to a special attire firm.
Woods has been optimistic that he can play as soon as a month in 2024, which doubtless is to begin on the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles subsequent month. Steinberg stated he was engaged on a brand new deal and that “I anticipate there could possibly be an thrilling announcement” on the Genesis Invitational. Woods indicated the identical.
“Folks will ask if there may be one other chapter,” Woods wrote in his submit. “Sure, there will definitely be one other chapter. See you in LA!”
