Tiger Woods and Nike have ended their historic partnership after 27 successful years together. The relationship began in 1996 when Woods turned professional after a storied amateur career. Nike signed the 20-year-old phenom to a 5-year, $40 million endorsement deal that shocked the golf world at the time.
Woods lived up to the hype immediately, dominating the sport of golf right away with his first major win at the 1997 Masters. Nike launched the iconic “Hello World” ad campaign featuring Woods, sparking a partnership that shaped the future of golf. Over the years, Nike re-signed Woods to increasingly lucrative deals worth up to $200 million as he became the face of the brand.
For over a decade, Woods and Nike Golf were synonymous with greatness. Woods set records and broke barriers as the first Black golfer to win the Masters and hold all four major titles at once. His 15-shot US Open victory in 2000 was the largest margin of victory in major history. Woods’ magical moments, like his famous pitch shot at the 2005 Masters, helped build the Nike brand globally.
In recent years, however, injuries and personal issues led to Woods’ decline on the course. Signs of strain also emerged in his relationship with Nike. After Woods’ 2021 car accident, he began wearing other brands, noting they felt better with his injured leg. Nike has scaled back its golf business, further hinting at a split.
Now 48, Woods looks ahead to the future. He aims to play more events in 2024 as he continues his recovery. While the powerhouse Nike partnership has ended, Woods hinted at an exciting new chapter ahead, potentially with Nike in a different role. This iconic 27-year relationship has concluded, but Tiger’s story is not over yet.
#TigerWoods #Nike #SportsNews
