TIGER WOODS
Why did Tiger Woods drop Nike and end his contract after 27 years?
The golf legend made a ton of money from the sports shoe company since signing with them in 1996. But the last 15 years have been rough.
Some say they saw it coming. There were signs: Charlie, Tiger’s son, signed with Greyson Clothiers (some say Tiger will as well). Jason Day recently dropped Nike to sign with Malbon Golf after years with Phil Knight’s company. Rumor has it that more changes are on the way as Nike gradually leaves golf after 27 years with Tiger.
The question everyone is asking is why. The truth is that it’s surprising that Nike stuck it out so long with Woods. Nike wants winners and with Tiger they had the biggest winner in golf since Jack Nicklaus. Woods dominated the game from 1996 to 2009 and Nike rode the wave and became a big name in the golf industry. It was a win-win for Tiger and Nike as both made a ton of money off of each other. Tiger earned $500 million during his 27 years with swoosh company, but business is business.
What have you done for me recently, Tiger?
Surely Nike ran out of patience and realized that things were not going to get better any time soon. Facts are facts and all you have to do is look at Tiger’s record over the past 15 years and you can decide if Nike was making a good investment. We know that Tiger is more than just his record for many fans, but the relationship had to end sooner or later.
Tiger's record over the past 10 years
2014: Played in seven tournaments with two cuts, two WDs and best finish T17 Hero World Challenge
2015: 11 tournaments with four cuts, one WD and best result T10 at the Wyndham Championship.
2016: One tournament at the Hero World Challenge (15)
2017: Two tournaments - Best finish Hero World Challenge (T9)
2018: 19 tournaments - Two cuts and and a win at the 2018 Tour Championship and second place at the PGA Championship
2019: Two cuts and a win at the 2019 Masters
2020: Three tournaments, cut at 2020 US Open and T38 at the Masters
2021: No tournaments
2022: Three tournaments: Masters (47), PGA Championship WD and British Open (cut)
2023: Three tournaments: Masters (WD), best finish Hero World Challenges (18)
Why did Nike and Tiger part ways?
It’s official that the Nike-Tiger collaboration is over, but it’s just speculation as to why. Nike needed to make some changes and cut some costs and they want out of golf. Things worked well while Tiger sas No. 1, but since the 2009 Thanksgiving incident at TIger’s Florida home, things haven’t been great for Woods on the course. OK, yes, he won the Masters in 2019 and 2012 and 2013 were good years for him too, but that’s it, two good years for Tiger since 2009. Nike stayed with him and they supported him, I mean, he is Tiger Woods, but he’s never been the same and chances are that his winning days on the PGA Tour are over.
Nike’s stock market value is down 40 percent since 2021 and in 2016 the company gradually began to get away from golf. Nike made a killing on golf apparel and shoes with Tiger, but things didn’t go as well with their golf equipment. Tiger used some of their clubs until 2016 when Nike stopped manufacturing clubs and balls. There were few players on tour willing to give up their Titleists, Taylor Mades or Pings for the clubs that Nike was producing.
Unfortunately, we don’t have Nike’s specific golf numbers from the last 15 years, but, as far as equipment is concerned, the numbers can’t be great. It’s hard to believe they will stop making golf shoes and apparel. We also don’t have an official statement as to why Tiger left, but the word is big changes are coming and it’s just a matter of time for other superstars like Rory McIlroy to announce they are also parting ways with the sports manufacturer.