Top 3 Reasons to Believe Nike Is Not Giving Up on Golf Like the Rumor Says

Published 01/11/2024, 11:37 AM EST

In 11 days of 2024, three golfers have departed Nike Golf. While the floating rumors of Tiger Woods ending a 27-year partnership became reality on Tuesday, Jason Day became the first golfer to leave the brand at the start of the year, and Matthew Wolff was the latest addition to the defector’s list, as per reports.

Through it all, the rumors of Nike leaving the golf industry altogether caught the heat as the brand had left the equipment industry in 2016. While the three golfers’ departure sparks the viral question, there are three more reasons indicating that Nike Golf is not ending its golf endeavors any time soon.

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The rumors of Nike leaving the golf world first began when the No Laying Up podcast hinted that Tiger Woods and Nike are parting. Well, that became a reality. Soon after the split, Golf Channel’s senior writer, Rex Hoggard, stated that it is not Woods leaving Nike, in actuality, Nike is “splitting with golf.” However, we beg to differ, and here are the three reasons why:

3. The 10-year-long contract of Rory McIlroy: It was in 2013 when Rory McIlroy signed a reported $100 million multi-year contract with Nike. At the time, the contract spanned from clubs to apparel. However, in 2016, the contract was nearing its end, and the Oregon-based brand was pulling out of the club industry.

Although even then Nike and McIlroy extended the said contract for a predicted 10 years. The contract was again a $100 million deal. Now, if only after seven years, Nike leaves the industry, it may count as a breach of contract. And no company would willingly take a hefty fine for a contract breach.

2. LPGA Tour pros staying with Nike: On the women’s side, Nike had signed a few golfers as well. Their recent addition was the LPGA Tour cover girl, Nelly Korda. On 14th January 2023, the 2x major champ alerted the golf world of her latest Nike deal and donned the swoosh for a multi-year agreement.

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A post shared by Nelly (@nellykorda)

Furthermore, Michelle Wie West signed with Nike in 2005 and had her deal renewed in 2022. While golfers like, Suzann Pettersen have been with the brand since 2016. All these golfers have indicated no plans to leave the brand nor there have been news of any new signings, indicating that Nike still has its footing in golf.

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1. Smash GC’s new Nike shoes: The biggest collaboration of 2024 for LIV Golf was announced only a few hours ago. The Nike athlete, Brooks Koepka, has brewed something for himself and his teammates for the 2024 season. The latest tweet by the Koepka-owned team showcases the new shoe collaboration between Nike and Smash GC.

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Smashing into 2024 ❗️💥⛳️ pic.twitter.com/AxEBhPWa4t
— Smash GC (@SmashGC) January 10, 2024

Smash GC announced the partnership with Nike and displayed the Nike shoes with the inscription “Smash” on them. Also, the post read, “Smashing into 2024 ❗️💥⛳️.” This post suggests that when Smash GC graces the greens in February, they will be wearing the NikexSmash Collab shoes.

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It backs the argument that Nike doesn’t only have a stronghold in LPGA and the PGA Tour but also in the PIF-backed circuit, LIV Golf. After having many golfers still under contract and introducing new partnerships more recently, do you still believe that Nike will leave the golf industry?

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Written by:

From a very young age, I, Huda Khambe, have been striving for excellence, and as a Golf Writer at EssentiallySports, my endeavor has only amplified. Having grown up watching Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam bag major after major, I couldn?t help but learn more about the intricacies of the sport, and now I combine that knowledge with my inherent storytelling skills and write about the gentleman's sport, bringing news to life for the readers. As a journalist who lives by the motto 'Girls for Girls', I am hellbent on covering the niche aspects of the sport and giving the readers unique insights about the LPGA and women's golf as a whole. Off hours too, my life involves sports of sorts, with me often engrossed in watching livestreams of Valorant and Counterstrike!

Edited by:

Caroline Joseph

Top 3 Reasons to Believe Nike Is Not Giving Up on Golf Like the Rumor Says

Will Nike breach the 10-year contract?

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