Harper Lin
Nike has been a major sponsor of golfers for many years, with Tiger Woods being the most notable name. However, Woods ended his partnership with Nike in 2024, leading to speculation about Nike's future in the sport. Despite this, Nike has assured golfers still under contract that it is not leaving the golf industry. Notable golfers currently sponsored by Nike include Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, and Nelly Korda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nike sponsoring golfers | Yes |
| Nike's most recent signing | Guido Migliozzi |
| Notable golfers currently sponsored by Nike | Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Nelly Korda |
| Notable former Nike sponsorships | Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Michelle Wie |
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What You'll Learn
Tiger Woods and Nike's 27-year partnership ends
Tiger Woods and Nike have ended their 27-year partnership, with the golfer announcing the news on social media platform X on Monday, 8 January 2024. Woods thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his "passion and vision" in bringing the partnership together. He also expressed gratitude towards Nike employees and athletes he worked with.
In a statement, Nike acknowledged Woods' impact on the sport and their company: "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."
Nike's partnership with Woods began in 1996 when he turned pro after winning his third straight U.S. Amateur. The relationship has been lucrative for both parties, with Woods making a reported $500 million from the association. His iconic red polo and other Nike gear provided significant brand exposure, estimated at $2 million to $4 million per four rounds.
While Woods has not announced his future plans, he hinted at "another chapter" on social media. Speculation has linked him to On Running, a Swiss brand that tennis star Roger Federer joined after leaving Nike. Woods' departure from Nike leaves a void in the market, but the company continues to sponsor other golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Tom Kim.
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Nike's remaining sponsored golfers
Nike has sponsored a wide range of golfers, from established stars to young up-and-comers. Here is a list of Nike's remaining sponsored golfers:
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is a top-ranked golfer who has been sponsored by Nike since 2013. He has had over 20 victories on the PGA Tour, including four Majors. McIlroy has provided Nike with continuous brand promotion on a global scale due to his competitive nature and role model status. In 2017, McIlroy extended his contract with Nike for $200 million.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is currently the top-ranked golfer in the world and is one of the top names in world sports sponsored by Nike.
Tom Kim
Tom Kim is a rising star in the golf world and has recently signed an apparel deal with Nike.
Nelly Korda
Nelly Korda is an eight-time LPGA winner and was added to the list of Nike-sponsored golfers in January 2023. She is considered a key addition to the Nike Golf team and has won an Olympic gold medal and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka signed a contract with Nike in 2016 for both equipment and apparel. He is one of the highest-paid golfers, joining the LIV Golf League in 2022 and earning $69 million that year alone. Koepka has won the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open and ranks in the top 20 on the PGA Tour's list of career earnings.
Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie turned professional at the age of 16 and signed a $20 million, four-year deal with Nike in 2005. She is a five-time LPGA champion and has been a cornerstone of Nike, showcaseing their women's golf apparel internationally. Wie extended her contract with Nike for another five years in 2022.
While Nike has ended its partnership with some golfers, such as Tiger Woods and Jason Day, the brand continues to sponsor a range of talented golfers, both established and up-and-coming, ensuring its presence in the golf world remains strong.
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Nike's largest women's golf partnership
Nike sponsors a wide range of professional golfers, from established stars to young up-and-comers. While the company decided to exit the golf equipment business in 2016, it continues to produce golf apparel and footwear. Nike has collaborated with several female golfers to promote its brand, with Michelle Wie and Nelly Korda being the most notable names.
Michelle Wie turned professional at the age of 16 and signed a $20 million, four-year deal with Nike in 2005. The five-time LPGA champion has been a cornerstone of Nike, showcaseing the brand's women's golf apparel on the international stage. Wie extended her contract for another five years in 2022 and joined the Nike Athlete Think Tank, a group of female athletes who help the brand eliminate barriers in women's sports. Her collaboration with Nike has helped the company maintain a strong position and grow significantly, while also boosting her career growth and inspiring many young golfers.
Nelly Korda, a standout on the LPGA, was added to the list of Nike-sponsored golfers in January 2023. Her contract with Nike is considered the company's largest women's golf partnership. Korda is a highly regarded professional golfer with eight LPGA Tour victories at the age of 24. She won an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and claimed the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in 2022, her first major tournament victory. Korda's addition to the Nike Golf team has brought valuable experience and exposure to the brand.
In addition to Wie and Korda, Nike has also sponsored other female golfers such as Brooks Koepka, who joined the LIV Golf League in 2022 and is one of the highest-paid golfers, and Tony Finau, who earns $5-6 million annually from her contract. These partnerships showcase Nike's commitment to promoting women in golf and leveraging their influence to drive brand recognition and inspire the next generation of golfers.
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Nike's interest in golf
Nike has been a prominent sponsor of golfers, from established stars to young talents. The company has had a long history of sponsoring golfers, with Tiger Woods being one of its most iconic partnerships. Woods' traditional Sunday attire of a red Nike shirt, black hat, and black pants became synonymous with men's professional golf. However, in 2024, Nike and Woods announced the end of their partnership. This led to speculation about Nike's future in the golf industry.
Despite this recent split, Nike has assured that it is not leaving the golf space entirely. The company continues to sponsor a range of professional golfers, including Rory McIlroy, who has had a $200 million contract with Nike since 2017. McIlroy has won four major tournaments and has provided Nike with continuous brand promotion on a global scale. Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, is also part of the Nike team.
In addition to McIlroy and Scheffler, Nike has signed several rising stars, such as Tom Kim, Guido Migliozzi, and Tommy Fleetwood, who is known for wearing Nike Golf gear at major tournaments. Nelly Korda, a highly regarded professional golfer with eight LPGA Tour victories, joined the Nike Golf team in 2023. Korda's contract may be the company's largest women's golf partnership.
Nike has also sponsored other notable golfers, including Jason Day, who signed a multi-year deal worth over $100 million annually in 2017, and Brooks Koepka, who signed a contract for equipment and apparel in 2016. Michelle Wie, a five-time LPGA champion, signed a $20 million, four-year deal with Nike in 2005, extending her contract for another five years in 2022.
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Nike's newest signings
Nike sponsors a wide range of professional golfers, from established stars to young up-and-comers. In 2024, some big names such as Jason Day and Tiger Woods ended their partnerships with the brand, leading to speculation about Nike's future in the golf industry. However, Nike has continued to sponsor golfers and has signed several rising stars.
One of Nike's newest signings is Guido Migliozzi, who was spotted wearing Nike apparel at the DP World Tour's Dubai Invitational. Migliozzi announced his partnership with Nike, expressing his excitement and passion for the brand.
Another recent addition to the Nike Golf team is Nelly Korda, who joined in January 2023. Korda is a highly regarded professional golfer with eight LPGA Tour victories and an Olympic gold medal under her belt. Her contract with Nike is reported to be one of the company's largest women's golf partnerships.
Nike also signed Brooks Koepka, who joined the LIV Golf League in 2022 and was listed as one of the highest-paid golfers by Forbes. Koepka has had numerous victories, including the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.
While Nike has parted ways with some golfers, it continues to sponsor established names such as Rory McIlroy, who has had over 20 victories on the PGA Tour and is ranked highly in the Official World Golf Ranking. Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, is also part of the Nike roster.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nike sponsors golf.
Some of the golfers that Nike sponsors include Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, Nelly Korda, Guido Migliozzi, Michelle Wie, and Brooks Koepka.
No, in 2016, Nike Golf decided to stop producing golf equipment. However, they continued their association with clothing, shoes, and accessories in the golf industry.
While Nike has ended its partnership with some golfers, such as Tiger Woods and Jason Day, they have assured that they are not leaving the golf industry and continue to sponsor other golfers.
