Tiger Woods in all smile (Courtesy: Tiger Woods/Twitter)
Tiger Woods parted ways with his biggest sponsor, Nike, on Monday. There were speculations that Woods” Nike association would be winding up as he approached the end of a 10-year contract that he signed in 2013. The 15-time Major champion had stopped using the Nike clubs after the company stopped manufacturing golf equipment in 2016.
Since 2022, he has worn the FootyJoy shoes as he dealt with leg mobility issues after facing an accident, a year earlier. Last month when Woods was asked if he was headed toward parting ways with Nike, he deflected, saying:“I’m still wearing their product”—and he simply repeated that answer when pressed for clarity.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 8, 2024
“Throughout the course of our partnership, we have witnessed along with the rest of the world how Tiger not only redefined the sport of golf but broke barriers for all of sport,” Nike said in a statement Monday. “We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking and inspire generations of people around the globe. We are grateful to have been a part of it.”
Woods had signed his first deal with Nike in 1996 — at the age of 20 — after turning pro. The deal reportedly fetched him $40 million over five years. It was the most lucrative deal is sports history at that point, but Woods” father called it “chump change”.
In his statement, Woods thanked Nike for the 27-year deal, that reportedly earned him nearly $500 million, till the time of parting ways.
How much Ronaldo and LeBron James earn from Nike?
Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo signed his first contract with Nike in 2003 during his first stint with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. According to reports, the Al Nassr forward earn a whooping $24 million per year from the sponsors. He is estimated to rake up around $1 million in his lifetime contract with Nike. It is also estimated as one of the biggest contract with Nike.
Meanwhile, LeBron James signed up with the biggest brands, including a lifetime deal with Nike in 2015. He earns $32 million every year, as per a report in Forbes.
