Woods Ends 27-Year Nike Relationship Declaring ‘There Certainly Will Be Another Chapter’

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After 27-years Nike and Tiger Woods have brought to an end one of the most famous commercial partnerships in sport.

Woods announced the news on Monday in a statement posted to ‘X’ social media account and thus confirming recent rumours he was parting with the clothing and footwear giant.

And in splitting with Nike, Woods indicated in his message:  ‘Yes, there will certainly be another chapter’, no doubt in reference who he will sign a new clothing deal with.

Woods signed off his message saying:  “See you in LA” meaning his next event with be his hosting of the February 15th commencing Genesis Invitational though it remains to be seen if Woods will compete in the event.

Woods was only aged 20 when he signed a reported deal with clothing gaint Nike thought to be worth around $500m over its lifetime.

The deal saw Woods wear only the famed Nike swoosh on his clothing though he did sport his TW logo on his headwear.

Woods quickly became one of Nike’s highest profile sportspersons while there was the defining image of the partnership was the red shirts Woods wore on the final day of majors. He also starred in a number of TV adverts for Nike that became famous in their own right.

Tiger Woods wearing his Nike attire in capturing the 2019 Masters

The move to part ways with Nike comes as Nike scales down its investment in the sport – it stopped making golf equipment in in 2016 – and Woods’s own career approached its end.

Woods last major victory came in 2019 but he has been plagued by injury for years and his game has become even more limited by a serious car crash the 48-year-old suffered in 2021.

The following year, Woods appeared at the Masters wearing FootJoy shoes rather than his customary Nikes, although he said the decision was due to health considerations.

“I have very limited mobility now,” he said.

“Just with the rods and plates and screws that are in my leg [after the 2021 car crash], I needed something different, something that allowed me to be more stable. That’s what I’ve gone to.”

Tiger Woods, his mother and Nick’s Phil Knight

Nike also issued a statement at the time supporting Woods’s decision, saying it would “work with him to meet his new needs”.

Last week, we saw another Nike player in Jason Day compete without the Nike logo while it is a question sure to be asked of Rory McIlroy, and his Nike future, ahead of him teeing-up in the inaugural Dubai Invitational.



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