After 27 years with the model, Tiger Woods introduced the top of his relationship with NIKE Golf. The cut up ends some of the profitable partnerships in NIKE’s historical past.

The cut up, although unsettling, has been rumored for some time. The rumblings began on the 2022 Masters when Woods was seen sporting FootJoy footwear somewhat than his signature NIKE silhouette. Woods has continued to put on Nike attire the previous a number of years however was not utilizing the model’s golf equipment after they left the hard-goods enterprise in 2016.

Now Woods, who indicated he is able to play extra aggressive golf in 2024, is an attire free agent.

Woods began his partnership with Nike upon turning professional in 1996, making a reported $500 million over the lifetime of the partnership. His preliminary multiyear contract with NIKE was reportedly value $40 million, which was the richest endorsement deal for an expert athlete in historical past on the time.

Woods renewed his contract 3 times in his profession, together with when he signed a 10-year extension in 2013 value a reported $200 million in keeping with The Oregonian. 

It was an iconic partnership. Woods captured the 1997 Masters in his trademark crimson NIKE shirt and would later develop into the primary participant to win a significant championship utilizing NIKE tools when he put a NIKE Tour Accuracy golf ball in play on the 2000 U.S. Open, which he gained by 15 pictures. 

He would go on so as to add NIKE golf equipment within the following years. By the 2005 Masters, Woods was utilizing 13 NIKE golf equipment—he would go to win six majors with 13 NIKE golf equipment over the following 4 years. 

All 15 of his main victories featured Woods decked out within the NIKE swoosh brand. Among the most well-known golf advertising (together with a number of memorable commercials) got here out of the Woods-NIKE relationship. 

“Tiger, you challenged your competitors, stereotypes, conventions, the old fashioned mind-set,” NIKE mentioned in a social put up. “You challenged all the establishment of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, your self. And for that problem we’re grateful. It was a hell of a spherical, Tiger.”

Even nonetheless, Woods appears to be like again fondly on his practically three a long time carrying the swoosh.

“Over 27 years in the past, I used to be lucky to begin a partnerships with some of the iconic manufacturers on the planet,” Woods mentioned in an announcement. “The times since has been stuffed with so many wonderful moments and recollections, if I began naming them, I might go on perpetually.”

Woods’ departure from NIKE—coupled with Jason Day leaving NIKE to signal with Malbon—nonetheless leaves us with unanswered questions on Nike’s future in golf attire. NIKE lately introduced plans to chop $2 billion in prices over the subsequent three years, which would come with layoffs of tons of of staff.

And what’s going to Woods be carrying once we see him subsequent? We’re going to have to attend to seek out out.

His last assertion gives not less than some semblance of hope that this isn’t the top of the TW model.

“Folks will ask if there’s one other chapter. Sure, there will definitely be one other chapter.”