Tiger Woods announces end of partnership with Nike
Tiger Woods ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Tiger Woods of the United States during the final round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 17, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Woods announced he and Nike have parted ways. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
After nearly three decades, golf icon Tiger Woods said his partnership with Nike is coming to an end.
Woods signed with the sportswear giant in 1996 after turning pro at the age of 20, according to ESPN and NBC Sports. He has worn Nike gear during all of his 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour victories, SB Nation reported.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods said Monday in a post on social media. “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”
He thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight, the company’s employees and other athletes he’s worked with as part of the partnership.
“People will ask if there is another chapter,” he said. “Yes, there will certainly be another chapter.”
Rumors had earlier swirled that Woods’ endorsement partnership with Nike might be coming to an end. When asked last month about whether the end was near, Woods told reporters, “I’m still wearing their product,” the Oregonian reported.
He has signed multiple deals with Nike, most recently inking a 10-year contract in 2013 worth around $200 million, according to the newspaper.
“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,” Nike said in a post on social media following Woods’ announcement. “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful.”
Next month, Woods will be in Los Angeles to host The Genesis Invitational. He is expected to play in the tournament, according to Sports Illustrated.
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years Here are some memorable photos of golf legend Tiger Woods through the years. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1992: Tiger Woods watches his shot during the 1992 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Feb. 27, 1992. (Gary Newkirk/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1993: Tiger Woods hits a shot during the 1993 Los Angeles Open at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California, on Feb. 26, 1993. (Gary Newkirk/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1994: Tiger Woods of the USA enjoys himself during the World Amateur Team Cup held in Versailles, France, in September 1994. (Anton Want/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1995: Tiger Woods of the United States holds the trophy after winning the United States Amateur Championship golf tournament on August 27, 1995, at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. (J.D. Cuban/Allsport/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1996: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates with the trophy and two Showgirl performers after winning his first professional golf tournament at the PGA Las Vegas Invitational on October 6, 1996, at the TPC Summerlin Golf Course, Desert Inn, Las Vegas. (J.D. Cuban/Allsport/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1997: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after sinking a 4-foot putt to win the US Masters Golf Tournament with a record low score of 18 under par on April 13, 1997, at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (Stephen Munday/Allsport/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1998: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates his play-off victory over Ernie Els of South Africa during the Johnnie Walker Classic on January 25, 1998, at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, Thailand. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 1999: Tiger Woods poses with his trophy after the NEC Invitational World Golf Challenge at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, on Aug. 29, 1999. (Jon Ferrey/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2000: Tiger Woods of the United States keeps his eye on his shot during the World Golf Championships WGC-American Express Championship golf tournament on November 12, 2000, at the Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, San Roque, Spain. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2001: Tiger Woods pumps his fist on the 18th green after winning the 2001 Bay Hill Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Florida, on March 18, 2001. (Craig Jones/ALLSPORT via Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2002: Golfer Tiger Woods poses with girlfriend Elin Nordegren during the opening Ceremony for the 34th Ryder Cup on September 26, 2002, in Sutton Coldfield, England. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2003: Tiger Woods holds the Gene Sarazen Cup after winning the American Express Championship at the Capitol City Club on October 5, 2003, in Woodstock, Georgia. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2004: USA team member Tiger Woods with his fiance Elin Nordegren arriving at the 35th Ryder Cup Matches Gala Dinner at the Fox Theater on September 15, 2004, in Detroit. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2005: Tiger Woods hits from the seventh tee during the final round of the 2005 Target World Challenge Presented by Countrywide at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California, on December 11, 2005. (Steve Grayson/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2006: Tiger Woods holds the winner's trophy after defeating Jose Maria Olazabal and Nathan Green in a playoff during the final round of the PGA TOUR's 2006 Buick Invitationa at Torrey Pines South in La Jolla, California, on January 29, 2006. (Steve Grayson/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2007: Tiger Woods during the final round of the 2007 Wachovia Championship held at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 6, 2007. (Richard Schultz/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2008: Tiger Woods reacts to his birdie putt on the 18th green to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate during the final round of the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 15, 2008, in San Diego. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2009: In this handout released by the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama (left) talks with professional golfer Tiger Woods in the Oval Office of the White House on April 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C. (Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2010: Tiger Woods makes a statement from the Sunset Room on the second floor of the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour on February 19, 2010, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Woods publicly admitted to cheating on his wife Elin Nordegren but maintained that the issues remain "a matter between a husband and a wife." (Lori Moffett-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2011: Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 12th green during the first round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 11, 2011, in Johns Creek, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2012: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates after holing out from a bunker for birdie on the 18th hole during the second round of the 141st Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club on July 20, 2012, in Lytham St. Annes, England. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2013: Tiger Woods of the United States chips the ball while skier Lindsey Vonn watches ahead of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 15, 2013, in Gullane, Scotland. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2014: Tiger Woods of the United States reacts on the seventh tee during the second round of the 96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on August 8, 2014, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2015: Tiger Woods of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015, in Augusta, Georgia. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2016: Tiger Woods attends the Tiger Woods Foundation's 20th Anniversary Celebration at the New York Public Library on October 20, 2016, in New York City. (Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2017: Golfer Tiger Woods appears in Palm Beach County court October 27, 2017, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Woods plead guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor reckless driving charge. (Lannis Waters-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2018: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club on August 7, 2018, in St. Louis. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2019: U.S. President Donald Trump gives professional golfer and business partner Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House on May 6, 2019, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2020: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 7, 2020, in San Francisco. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years 2021: Tiger Woods on hand at the trophy presentation ceremony after the final round of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 21, 2021, in Pacific Palisades, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years Tiger Woods speaks during his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame Wednesday, March 9, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert/AP)
Photos: Tiger Woods through the years ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 17: Tiger Woods of the United States during the final round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 17, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)