Nike pay tribute to Tiger Woods with eight perfect words after bombshell split
Tiger Woods has confirmed he is leaving Nike after 27 years with an emotional statement. Here's how the iconic sporting brand paid tribute.
The worst kept secret in golf has officially been confirmed: Tiger Woods and Nike have parted ways after 27 years.
The 15-time major champion posted an emotional 83-word statement on 8 January across his social media channels.
"Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world," he wrote.
Woods, 48, continued: "The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.
"Phil Knight's passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I want to personally thank him. along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way."
Woods also all-but confirmed his next start on the PGA Tour will be at Riviera in Los Angeles next month.
There are rumours Woods will join On Running, but that at this point that is purely conjecture.
The rumours Nike and Woods were going to part ways began in December.
The podcast, No Laying Up, revealed the company was going to shut down its entire golf division.
When asked about his future with Nike at the PNC Championship, Woods only offered five words: "I'm still wearing their product." Now we know.
Woods previously used Nike equipment until the world's largest athletic brand pulled out of that industry in 2017. Put simply, Nike lost money.
As for Nike, the swoosh posted an eight-word statement paying tribute to Woods:
Did you know?
Woods signed for Nike when he was 20 years old in 1996.
He initially signed a five-year, $40m contract after winning his third, successive U.S. Amateur championship.
At the time, Nike founder Phil Knight said: "The world has not seen anything like what he’s going to do for the sport. It's almost art. I wasn't alive to see Claude Monet paint, but I am alive to see Tiger play, and that's pretty great."
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