For 27 years, Tiger Woods has been an enduring force in the world of men's golf, symbolizing the ongoing competition in apparel and brand prominence alongside his longstanding affiliation
with Nike.
However, that chapter has now come to a close.
On Monday morning via social media, Woods announced the conclusion of his 27-year association with Nike, expressing gratitude to the company's founder, Phil Knight, and alluded to a potential future revelation in Los Angeles.
"Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world," Woods stated on Monday. "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!"
In mid-December, Woods was non-committal regarding a possible split with the brand, responding, "I’m still wearing their product," to queries posed at a news conference during the recent PNC Championship.
Nike confirmed the news via a post on its Instagram account: "Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful."
Woods' departure from Nike leaves a significant void in the market; he had been a brand ambassador for Nike since 1996 when he was 20 years old. Upon turning pro, Woods inked a five-year, $40 million deal with Nike after a remarkable stint as an amateur.
During the deal signing, Knight hailed Woods as a generational, game-changing athlete.
"The world has not seen anything like what he’s going to do for the sport," Knight remarked at the time. "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."
While Woods had been the face of Nike's golf line, the company ceased manufacturing clubs and golf balls in 2016, leading Woods to play with other brands such as TaylorMade clubs, Bridgestone golf balls, and FootJoy shoes in recent years. Nevertheless, Woods continued to don Nike apparel during his games.
The 48-year-old golfer may potentially return to competitive golf at the Genesis Invitational slated to commence on Feb. 15 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. As the tournament host, Woods had expressed plans to participate in one event each month. Photo by KA Sports Photos from Hanover, MD, USA, Wikimedia commons.