Tiger Woods leaves Nike after 27 years with emotional statement

Tiger Woods has taken to social media with an emotional post to confirm he has parted ways with Nike following a 27-year partnership with the sports giant. 

Woods, 48, is estimated to have made in the region of $500m during his time with Nike. 

The 15-time major champion played in his final tournament in Nike Golf apparel when he teed up alongside son Charlie Woods at the PNC Championship before Christmas. 

Related: Nike pay tribute to Woods with eight perfect words after bombshell split

Woods has been sponsored by Nike ever since 1996, and has gone on to become arguably the greatest golfer of all time.

The former World No.1 has not only clinched 15 major titles, which is three wins behind record holder Jack Nicklaus, but he has also amassed a record-tying 82 PGA Tour victories alongside late great Sam Snead. 

Woods holds the record for most cumulative weeks as the World No.1 at 683. Next best on the list is LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman on 331. 

Woods produced one of his and Nike's greatest ever moments when chipping in for birdie at the par-3 16th in the final round of the 2005 Masters, a tournament he went on to win in a playoff over Chris DiMarco.

Go on, let's relive that incredible moment one more time: 

But after weeks of speculation, Woods confirmed his departure from Nike Golf on Jan. 8, 2024, via his social media channels.

Woods tweeted: 

Here's a look at Woods' post: 

pic.twitter.com/at0tSskmRm

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) January 8, 2024

Following Woods' confirmation of the news, Nike posted on Instagram with the below graphic: 

"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."

Where could Tiger Woods end up after leaving Nike? 

Woods' final line leaves plenty of answers. 

According to Sports Business Radio, there is potential for Woods to follow in the footsteps of tennis ace Roger Federer by leaving Nike and taking an equity stake in On Running. Federer did exactly that in 2018, four years before retiring from the game. 

This is only speculation of course, and the CEO of the brand has said they do not currently have plans to work with Woods. 

However, the On Holding AG share price is certainly only heading one way on the stock exchange following such rumours! (see below) 

Once leaving Nike, 20-time grand slam champion Federer ended up signing a $300m deal with Uniqlo and an equity-based deal with On Running that earned him another $300m.

Woods once named Federer as one of his inspirations.

An anonymous source tells me the chances of Tiger Woods parting ways with #Nike is greater than ever. The most likely landing spot for Tiger is @on_running in a deal that would see Tiger take an equity stake. Roger Federer left Nike for an equity deal with @on_running in 2018. pic.twitter.com/BCaEeaL2Ck

— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) January 7, 2024

$ONON (+7.15%) shares are ripping today on rumors that @TigerWoods is leaving Nike to invest with On Running in a potential partnership https://t.co/sWZmMq5bhM

— Stocktwits (@Stocktwits) January 8, 2024

Federer has his own 'The Roger Collection' at On, which comprises tennis-inspired sneakers developed by him and the team. 

Woods, who has been wearing FootJoy golf shoes instead of his normal Nike Golf shoes since 2022, made his PGA Tour comeback last month at his annual Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. 

He had been out of action since undergoing ankle surgery following his WD at The Masters in April 2023. 

Woods suffered multiple open fracturers in the tibia and fibula of his right leg, as well as significant multiple injuries to his right foot and ankle when he crashed a rental car in Los Angeles in February 2021. 

Another possible scenario that plays out is that Woods set up his own brand of apparel. 

We will have to wait and see...

No Laying Up first brought the Woods-Nike split to everyone's attention in the first week of December 2023 - READ HERE

"Hearing some stuff that the PNC was allegedly his last tournament with Nike," revealed the popular golf podcast. 

"So we'll see what happens there for similar things and some other Nike athletes as well.

"Potential apparel brand being started by one of the OEMs."

Former World No.1 and 2015 US PGA champion Jason Day also left Nike last week and he immediately joined up with Malbon. 

Rory McIlroy agreed a 10-year contract extension with Nike in 2017, so nothing is likely to happen on that front anytime soon. 

Related: Day divides opinion over his new baggy Malbon pants

What do you make of Tiger Woods leaving Nike? Where will he end up now? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels. 

Take me to more golf news!